San Francisco officials have announced they are rolling back some reopening plans due to "a significant and rapid increase in COVID-19 case rates."
Mayor London Breed and Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax announced Tuesday that all indoor restaurant and bar service would stop as of Friday night, along with reduced capacity at fitness centers and movie theatres.
City officials are also pausing approval plans to reopen high schools.
"I cannot emphasize enough how important it is that everyone act responsibly to reduce the spread of the virus," Mayor Breed said. "Every San Franciscan needs to do their part so that we can start moving in the right direction again. I know this is not the news our residents and businesses wanted to hear, but as I’ve said all along, we’re making decisions based on the data we’re seeing on the ground."
The city has experienced a 250% increase in COVID-19 cases since October 2.
According to a press release on the changes, "the number of new cases per day per 100,000 people has more than doubled over the last three weeks from a low of 3.7 cases per 100,000 people to 9 cases per 100,000 people."
"From the beginning of the city’s pandemic response, San Francisco has carefully monitored and responded to the pandemic, which has helped us lead the country in our containment," said Dr. Colfax. "As always, we must listen to the data."
Last month, city officials announced that restaurants, places of worship, indoor museums, zoos and movie theaters would stay at 25% capacity instead of increasing to 50% in early November as planned because of a small, but noticeable uptick in cases.
Tuesday's move comes as state officials announced earlier Tuesday that 11 counties are moving backwards on the risk tiers and no counties would move forward as cases have increased statewide. Santa Cruz and Contra Costa counties were among the group moving the wrong way.