Frequently Asked Questions

San Bernardino County, along with the rest of the state, fully reopened its economy on June 15, 2021 — eliminating various restrictions and discontinuing the color-coded county tier system.

Restaurants, bars, retail stores, theaters, hotels and entertainment centers may return to usual operations — meaning no capacity limitations and no requirements for social distancing.

Masks are strongly recommended for all persons, regardless of vaccine status, in indoor public settings and businesses (examples: retail, restaurants, theaters, family entertainment centers, meetings, state and local government offices serving the public).

Also, what the state deems “mega events” — outdoor live events attended by more than 10,000 people and indoor events with 1,000 or more attendees — still face some restrictions. Guests attending indoor events must either show results of a negative COVID-19 test or verify they’ve been vaccinated. The same guidelines are recommended (though not mandated) for outdoor events. Businesses and venue operators may require proof or self-attestation at point of registration, during ticket purchase or on the day of the event prior to entry into the venue.

The County’s primary objective now is to continue expanding vaccinations of residents, and it has made obtaining a vaccine simple, easy and cost free. For more information, please visit our Vaccine Information page. We also encourage you to view our County Updates for the latest information. You can sign up to get updates via email.

To view CDPH’s “Safely Reopening California” guidance visit: https://covid19.ca.gov/safely-reopening

Vaccinations are in good supply and readily available to any resident aged 6 months and over, and there are vaccination sites located throughout the County. Additional information, including lists of vaccination sites and appointment opportunities, can be found here (most sites also permit walk ups without appointments). The County is currently offering two different COVID-19 vaccines — those developed by Pfizer and Moderna. As of now, Pfizer-BioNTech bivalent vaccine and the Moderna bivalent vaccine have been approved for children ages 6 months and up. Vaccinations for minors require consent from a parent or legal guardian.

Information on additional doses/booster doses can be found here.

Information on pediatric vaccines can be found here.

Links to schedule appointments can be found here.

The County’s COVID-19 dashboard with updated statistics on vaccinations can be found here.

Beginning June 15, 2021, all sectors listed in the current Blueprint Activities and Business Tiers Chart may return to usual operations (with the limited exceptions noted below for Mega Events) based on the following general public health recommendations:

Restrictions Applying to Indoor & Outdoor Settings
Vaccine Verification / Negative Testing	Required for Indoor mega events Recommended for Outdoor mega events
Capacity Limitations	No restrictions
Physical Distancing	No restrictions for attendees, customers and guests
Masking	Follow current CDPH Guidance for Face Coverings
Travelers	Follow CDC Recommendations and CDPH Travel Advisory

Masks are strongly recommended for all persons, regardless of vaccine status, in indoor public settings and businesses (examples: retail, restaurants, theaters, family entertainment centers, meetings, state and local government offices serving the public).

The following individuals are exempt from wearing masks at all times:

• Persons younger than two years old. Very young children must not wear a mask because of the risk of suffocation.
• Persons with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that prevents wearing a mask. This includes persons with a medical condition for whom wearing a mask could obstruct breathing or who are unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove a mask without assistance.
• Persons who are hearing impaired, or communicating with a person who is hearing impaired, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication.
• Persons for whom wearing a mask would create a risk to the person related to their work, as determined by local, state, or federal regulators or workplace safety guidelines.

The County has established several stationary or “walk-up” testing sites, which are open Monday through Friday (some sites feature weekend appointments). Appointments are accepted, but walk-ins are welcome.  Getting tested is free of charge and does not require health insurance or a doctor’s prescription. For more information on testing sites, please see our Testing Sites page.

Coronaviruses are a group of related RNA viruses that cause diseases in mammals and birds. In humans, the viruses cause respiratory infections that range from mild to lethal. We currently are dealing with the “novel coronavirus,” which is officially labeled SARS-CoV-2. COVID-19 is the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

Symptoms may appear within 2 to 14 days after exposure. Symptoms reported for patients with COVID-19 have included:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person, largely between people who are in close contact with one another (i.e., within about 6 feet).  Respiratory droplets are produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks or sings; these droplets can then land in the mouths or noses of nearby people or even be inhaled into the lungs. The droplets may also land on hard surfaces (such as countertops and door handles) and then be transmitted to humans when such surfaces are touched.

Studies suggest that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are asymptomatic — that is, someone who show no symptoms of the disease. That’s why wearing masks is so important: a mask can help prevent the spread of the virus from people who have no idea they’re infected.

If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, including fever, aches, a cough or shortness of breath, call your healthcare provider before seeking care.  Do not simply show up at your doctor’s office, which might put others at risk. Your doctor or other healthcare provider can advise you regarding next steps, which might include arranging a COVID-19 test.

You should also take the following precautionary measures: avoid contact with sick individuals and wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. You can use the CDC Self-Checker as a guide to help you make decisions and seek appropriate medical care.

If you were less than 6 feet away from an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period, recommendations are outlined below:

QUARANTINE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE UNVACCINATED OR THOSE NOT UP-TO-DATE WITH VACCINATIONS
If unvaccinated OR vaccinated and booster-eligible but have NOT received a booster, then:

• Stay home for at least 5 days
• Test on day 5
• Quarantine can end after day 5 if symptoms are not present or resolving AND a diagnostic specimen collected on day 5 or later tests negative
• If unable to test or choosing not to test, and symptoms are not present, quarantine can end after day 10
• If quarantine is ended on day 5, wear a well-fitting mask (surgical or respirator) around others for 5 additional days
• If testing positive, follow isolation guidelines
• If symptoms develop, test and stay home

QUARANTINE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE BOOSTED OR THOSE UP-TO-DATE WITH COVID-19 VACCINATIONS
If boosted or vaccinated and not yet booster-eligible, then:

• Quarantine is not required
• Test on day 5
• Wear a well-fitting mask (surgical or respirator) around others for 10 days
• If testing positive, follow isolation recommendations
• If symptoms develop, test and stay home

ISOLATION (FOR EVERYONE – REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS)
Everyone, regardless of vaccination status, previous infection, or lack of symptoms:

• Stay home for at least 5 days
• Isolation can end after day 5 if symptoms are not present or resolving AND a diagnostic specimen* collected on day 5 or later tests negative
• In unable to test or choosing not to test, and symptoms are resolving or not present, isolation can end after day 10
• If a fever is present, isolation should be continued until symptoms resolve
• If symptoms other than a fever are not resolving, continue to isolate until symptoms are resolving or until after day 10
• If isolation is discontinued after 5 days, wear a well-fitting mask (surgical or respirator) around others for 5 additional days, especially in indoor setting
  *DIAGNOSTIC SPECIMEN USING ANTIGEN TEST PREFERRED

People who are at higher risk of getting very sick from this illness include:

• Older adults (approximately 80% of COVID-19 related deaths are to people age 65 and older)
• Individuals with compromised immune systems
• Individuals who have serious chronic medical conditions, including:
  • Heart disease
  • Diabetes
  • Chronic lung disease
  • Kidney disease
  • Liver Disease
  • Obesity

It is especially important for you to take actions to reduce your risk of getting sick with the disease if your age or health condition put you at higher risk for serious illness.

There are now free and effective COVID-19 treatments available for you! If you test positive for COVID-19, treatments can prevent you from needing to go to the hospital. Most treatments need to be started within 5 days of getting symptoms. As soon as you notice symptoms, find the nearest Test to Treat Site or make a virtual appointment with Sesame Care.

If you are a member of the San Bernardino County Community who would like more information on these treatments, please visit the Treatments and Therapeutics for COVID-19 page.

If you are a medical provider who would like to begin administering these treatments please visit the Monoclonal and Antiviral Therapeutic Treatments page.

Accessing COVID-19 Treatment

Acceso A Los Tratamientos Contra COVID-19

• Maintain Social Distancing. Social distancing is a practice recommended by public health officials to stop or slow the spread of contagious diseases. It requires the creation of physical space between individuals, including an effort to minimize group gatherings as much as possible, and tactics to create space between individuals when events or activities cannot be modified, postponed, or canceled. Most experts believe that maintaining approximately six feet of space between individuals will help stem the spread of the coronavirus.

• Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others. You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick. Wear a cloth face cover when leaving your home or when it is impossible or impractical to maintain social distancing.

• Clean your hands often. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

• Cover coughs and sneezes. Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow. Throw used tissues in the trash and immediately wash your hands.

• Clean and disinfect. Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks. If surfaces are visibly dirty, clean them. Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

All public testing sites are open to any resident, regardless of whether or not they are experiencing current symptoms.

Call the San Bernardino County Health Center at (800) 722-4777. Do not go to the Health Center without calling first. The Health Center staff will ask personal information to determine your options for testing or care based on self-reported symptoms and other criteria.

You also should check to see if you’re eligible for either Medi-Cal or Covered California.

The County has established several stationary or “walk-up” testing sites, which are open Monday through Friday (some sites feature weekend appointments). Appointments are accepted, but walk-ins are welcome. Getting tested is free of charge and does not require health insurance or a doctor’s prescription. For more information on testing sites, please see our Testing Sites page.

Employers cannot ask for a negative COVID-19 test result due to HIPAA regulations.

The County does not provide documentation containing lab results for drive-through or walk-up/stationary testing. Residents must create a patient portal on LabCorp to access their results and can print them directly from the portal. If you need documentation in order to return to work, provide your primary care doctor with your test result and ask him or her to write you a return to work release.

On November 26, 2021, the World Health Organization designated a new variant, B1.1.529 (Omicron) as a variant of concern (VOC). The Omicron variant was first identified by health authorities in Botswana and South Africa.

On December 1, 2021, the Omicron variant was detected in San Francisco, California from a returning traveler who visited South Africa.

The first case of the Omicron variant was detected on December 14, 2021 in a male resident of Redlands who traveled out of state and returned with COVID-19 symptoms. Learn more here.

At this time, we do not know if this new variant causes more severe COVID-19 illness than other variants, whether it is more transmissible or how it might impact response to treatment.

Yes, current understanding is that available PCR and antigen tests should be able detect this variant. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently confirming this information.

It’s not too late for anyone eligible to get vaccinated or boosted to protect themselves and others against COVID-19, including variants.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, get tested, even if you are fully vaccinated.

To find a testing or vaccination site near you, visit https://sbcovid19.com

For more information, see the California Department of Public Health’s Omicron variant fact sheet. 

This strain was initially discovered in India and labeled as a “variant of concern” by the World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Yes. All positive COVID-19 tests go through a testing process called whole genome sequencing. A genome sequence of a virus can reveal mutations that make it unique and identify strains such as the Delta variant.

The Delta variant makes up 78.93% of overall types of COVID-19 variants in the County.

The Delta variant has been found to be 50% more transmissible than previous versions of the virus and possibly capable of causing more severe illness.

All available types of vaccines are effective at providing protection against the Delta variant. To find a vaccination site near you, visit https://sbcovid19.com/vaccine.

Beginning June 15, all sectors listed in the current Blueprint Activities and Business Tiers Chart may return to usual operations (with the limited exceptions noted below for Mega Events) based on the following general public health recommendations:

Restrictions Applying to Indoor & Outdoor Settings
Vaccine Verification / Negative Testing	Required for Indoor mega events Recommended for Outdoor mega events
Capacity Limitations	No restrictions
Physical Distancing	No restrictions for attendees, customers and guests
Masking	Follow current CDPH Guidance for Face Coverings
Travelers	Follow CDC Recommendations and CDPH Travel Advisory

Businesses and venue operators may choose to:

• Provide information to all patrons, guests and attendees regarding vaccination requirements and allow vaccinated individuals to self-attest that they are in compliance prior to entry.
• Implement vaccine verification to determine whether individuals are required to wear a mask.
• Require all patrons to wear masks.

Visit the CDC’s Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility webpage for guidelines for cleaning your facility after COVID-19 exposure.

You can submit a report on the School and Shared Portal for Outbreak Tracking (SPOT) page.

Please view the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) document DFEH Employment Information on COVID-19 for COVID-19 and employer FAQs.

A variety of resources for businesses and individuals

In addition, the following websites offer information you might find useful:

• San Bernardino County Microbusiness COVID-19 Relief Grant
  
• State of California Employment Development Department – Employer Resources

• State of California Employment Development Department – Worker Resources
  
• Information on the CARES Act

There are a variety of resources specifically designed to help seniors during this crisis. Seniors can call the Adult Protective Services hotline at (877) 565-2020 and have a specialist help determine the best assistance options. There are specific age requirements for services: individuals must be 65 and older, or 18-65 dependent adults and at risk for severe neglect or abuse. Callers to 211 are directed to this program.

Great Plates Delivered

The San Bernardino County’s “Great Plates Delivered” program, under the leadership of the Department of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS), is part of a larger collaborative effort teaming the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) with the state of California, local governments and local restaurants. The program calls for local food providers to prepare and deliver three nutritious meals a day to eligible residents — adults age 65 and older who meet the following criteria:

• Seniors who have been exposed to the coronavirus, or are at high risk due to pre-existing health conditions;
• Living alone or with one other program-eligible adult;
• Not currently receiving assistance from other federal nutrition assistance programs; and
• Living below 600% of the federal poverty limit.

DAAS, which is working with the Office of Emergency Services, 2-1-1 San Bernardino County, the Joint Information Center and other departments, have been in contact with local restaurants to assess their interest and ability to participate.

DAAS is now also recruiting volunteers to help deliver the meals. Restaurants and drivers interested in helping should contact Mary Bernal at mary.bernal@hss.sbccounty.gov. The group has also established an information hotline at (888) 743-1485 for County residents only.

Other Programs for Seniors

The County Senior Information and Assistance (SIA) program provides information, referrals, and assistance to help senior citizens solve problems they may have. Help is available daily from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Senior Information & Assistance Program
(800) 510-2020

Barstow SIA
(760) 256-3564

Morongo Basin/Yucca Valley SIA
(760) 228-5219

Needles SIA
(760) 326-9224

Rancho Cucamonga SIA
(909) 948-6235

San Bernardino SIA
(909) 891-3810

Victorville SIA
(760) 243-8459

The County Community Development and Housing Department has created a website that addresses a variety of housing concerns, including potential conflicts between landlords and tenants.

Any questions and inquires can be directed to:
• Landlord-tenant Landlord tenant: landlordtenant@sb-court.org
• Small claims & Landlord – Tenant: (909) 708-8606
• Fair Housing FAQ

San Bernardino County has established the San Bernardino County Rent Relief Partnership, an emergency rental assistance program that will leverage more than $46.8 million in U.S. Treasury funds to provide rental assistance to county residents impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit https://www.sbcrentrelief.com/ to for eligibility information.

If you need to begin behavioral health services, please call the County Department of Behavioral Health access line at (888) 743-1478.

Individuals with preexisting mental health conditions should continue with their treatment and be aware of new or worsening symptoms. Additional information and resources can be found on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

The Disaster Distress Helpline is available 24 hours a day and is answered by trained crisis counselors who can support you or someone you care about who may be feeling distress related to COVID-19. Call (800) 985-5990 or text ‘TalkWithUs’ to 66746.

Local crisis services are available by the County Department of Behavioral Health. You may also call the Community Response Team that is in your area, open every day from 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Call (909) 421-9233 or text (909) 420-0560. Available in English and in Spanish.