Joint Statement and Press Release: Bay Area counties extend shelter-in-place orders through end of May: From the Seven Bay Area Health Officers on Upcoming Extension and Revisions to the Current Shelter-in-Place Orders: This global pandemic of COVID-19 is still in its early stages: We expect to be responding to COVID-19 in our communities for a long time.
SAN RAFAEL, CA – Later this week, the Public Health Officers of the Counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara as well as the City of Berkeley will issue revised shelter-in-place orders that largely keep the current restrictions in place and extend them through May. The new order will include limited easing of specific restrictions for a small number of lower-risk activities.
The shelter-in-place orders in effect across the seven jurisdictions are set to expire on May 3, 2020. Thanks to the collective effort and sacrifice of the 7 million residents across our jurisdictions, we have made substantial progress in slowing the spread of the novel coronavirus, ensuring our local hospitals are not overwhelmed with COVID-19 cases, and saving lives.
At this stage of the pandemic, however, it is critical that our collective efforts continue so that we do not lose the progress we have achieved together. Hospitalizations have leveled, but more work is needed to safely re-open our communities. Prematurely lifting restrictions could easily lead to a large surge in cases.
The Health Officers will also release a set of broad indicators that will be used to track progress in preparedness and response to COVID-19, in alignment with the framework being used by the State of California. Future easing of restrictions requires that each jurisdiction and various sectors continue to rapidly build critical infrastructure and systems to respond to and control the spread of coronavirus infections and to ensure the health care system’s ability to meet demand.
This global pandemic of COVID-19 is still in its early stages. The virus spreads easily, testing capacity is limited and expanding slowly, and vaccine development is just beginning. We expect to be responding to COVID-19 in our communities for a long time. As effective as our efforts have been, if we move too fast to ease restrictions, the potential of exponential spread could have grave impacts to health and wellness of our residents as well as the economy.
The Health Officers of these seven jurisdictions have been working closely together in leading a unified, regional approach, to protect the health and safety of our residents. Details regarding this next phase will be shared later in the week, along with the updated order.
From my personal SIP Perch:
We have done such a great job, here in Marin, though with sadness note 12 lost to this killer. Lets keep this up through end May and then follow the instructions thereafter – to the maximum of our ability. I have noticed people are relaxing the SIP orders and treating this like the big summer vacation! While many are out following the rules, just as many are not! I have seen it for myself. Many are walking along sidewalks where others were walking mere minutes before with masks around their necks! Its because of YOU that I cannot go out and get my basic exercise! This is NOT business as usual. Please stop the selfishness.
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O-blog-dee-o-blog-da 
Correct me if I am wrong but I believe the mask issue regarding outside wear is to wear a mask outside when you are unable to retain social distancing (6 feet) from someone who you are not sheltering in place with. Am I wrong and, if so, can you lead me to the correct information.
Specifically, the new order states that people must wear face coverings when:
Inside public spaces or waiting in line to enter public spaces
Seeking health care
Waiting for or riding on mass transit or other shared transportation
In common areas of buildings, such as hallways, stairways, elevators and parking facilities.
Workers at businesses physically open and in areas where the public is present, likely to be present, or at any time when others are nearby.
Workers in any space where food is being prepared and/or packaged for sale.
Drivers/operators of public transit.
Children aged 12 years old or younger are not required to wear a face covering.
In addition, individuals engaged in outdoor exercise such as walking, hiking, running, or bicycling or running are not required to wear a face covering but should carry one with them and must continue to practice physical distancing.
Specifically, the new order[External] states that people must wear face coverings when:
Inside public spaces or waiting in line to enter public spaces
Seeking health care
Waiting for or riding on mass transit or other shared transportation
In common areas of buildings, such as hallways, stairways, elevators and parking facilities.
Workers at businesses physically open and in areas where the public is present, likely to be present, or at any time when others are nearby.
Workers in any space where food is being prepared and/or packaged for sale.
Drivers/operators of public transit.
Children aged 12 years old or younger are not required to wear a face covering. In addition, individuals engaged in outdoor exercise such as walking, hiking, running, or bicycling or running are not required to wear a face covering but should carry one with them and must continue to practice physical distancing.