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Last updated on June 21, 2021
To define what structures are considered outdoor spaces versus indoor spaces, for the purpose of COVID-19 health and safety measures like face masks.
Businesses or organizations that operate outdoors, including those that participate in the San Francisco's Shared Spaces program. People who wish to understand their risk of COVID-19 when they are dining or participating in activities in outdoor structures.
Being outdoors greatly decreases the risk of COVID-19. Many businesses and organizations have created outdoor structures for their patrons.
To benefit from the low risk of COVID-19 seen outdoors, structures must be built in a way that allows fresh air to flow freely through the structure. Structures that do not allow the free flow of fresh air are effectively indoor spaces; in outdoor structures that do not allow free flow of fresh air, the risk for COVID=19 transmission could be worse compared to a well-ventilated indoor space.
This document explains the elements needed for a structure to be considered an outdoor space.
Elements of Outdoor Structures
Structures that do not meet the above requirements are considered indoor spaces. In addition, structures must follow Cal/OSHA, ADA, Fire and local and state permitting requirements. San Francisco's Parklet and Shared Spaces design criteria include requirements for wall heights, pedestrian visibility, and ceiling heights. |
To prevent spread of COVID-19, the most important consideration is to maintain outdoor airflow in the breathing zone of people in the structure. The breathing zone refers to the area of space around a person’s nose and mouth through which air passes as they breathe in and out.
The breathing zone may be at different heights for personnel, clients and customers. For instance, the breathing zone of someone performing a pedicure and the individual receiving the pedicure are at different heights. Maintaining the outdoor free flow of air in the breathing zone for all individuals using the outdoor space is important to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission between people.
It is not possible to anticipate every type of outdoor structure and pre-determine whether any specific configuration allows for the free flow of air in the breathing zone for personnel, customers, and clients. In addition to the type of the barrier, air flow is affected by the height, number, and angle of the barriers, as well as the percentage of the space covered. Consider the following when designing an outdoor structure:
For more information about setting up your outdoor space please visit San Francisco’s Shared Spaces website .
Safer Return Together Latest UpdatesMay 3, 2022 translations of the April 21 version of the Safer Return Together Health Order were posted: Español | 中文 | Pilipino May 2, 2022 Guidance associated with the Directives for Childcare and Programs for Youth and TK-12 Schools were updated and combined into a single guidance. April 21, 2022 the Safer Return Together Health Order was updated. April 11, 2022 the Isolation and Quarantine directives were updated. |