Coronavirus updates: Bay Area county forced to close more indoor businesses

In this file photo professional wait to administer a coronavirus (COVID-19) test during a drive-thru testing station in Daly City, California.

In this file photo professional wait to administer a coronavirus (COVID-19) test during a drive-thru testing station in Daly City, California.

Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

In this file photo professional wait to administer a coronavirus (COVID-19) test during a drive-thru testing station in Daly City, California.

Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

LATEST Aug. 3, 8:30 a.m. The San Mateo County City Council will consider an emergency ordinance Tuesday that would impose fines for businesses and individuals who violate the state’s public health orders. Those who refused to wear masks could be ticketed.

Fees for individuals would be $100 for first offense, $200 for second and $500 for each additional violation. Businesses would be required to pay $250 to $3,000, depending on the severity of health risk.

See also American technology is gradually reopening its offices

Several other Bay Area counties have implemented similar ordinances, including Napa, Contra Costa and Marin.

Aug. 3, 7:30 a.m. San Mateo County closed more indoor businesses Sunday after spending multiple days on the state’s coronavirus watch list.

Some indoor businesses were forced to shut down or move operations outdoors, including gyms, hair salons and barbershops, nail salons, shopping malls and churches. Businesses that do tattoos, piercings or electrolysis must close, as they are not allowed to operate outdoors.

San Mateo was the last Bay Area county to end up on the California watch list. On Wednesday, its addition meant all nine Bay Area counties were on the list, which monitors surges in cases and hospitalizations.

On the explanation page, state officials write, “San Mateo County is experiencing an elevated case rate that exceeds the State threshold. The County sees roots of community transmission related to social gatherings without sufficient physical distancing and wearing of facial coverings, as well as higher exposure for residents performing work that involves person-to-person contact and crowded housing conditions that make home isolation difficult.”

Aug. 3, 7:13 a.m. A prisoner on San Quentin’s death row died Sunday at an outside hospital, apparently from complications related to the COVID-19 coronavirus, the state Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said Sunday. Read the full story on SFGATE.

See also Apple strengthens supply chain security to prevent leakage