By Robert Haugh
Santa Clara County is now at the purple risk level. It’s the highest tier and means that COVID-19 cases are widespread. So, starting today, the County has issued new COVID-19 restrictions.
“I am gravely concerned by the continuing surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations,” said Santa Clara County Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody. “The number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in our county has doubled in just the past couple of weeks, and we are at risk of exceeding our hospital capacity very soon if current trends continue.
“During this critical time of surging COVID-19 transmission in our community, I urge every resident to exercise caution and to the greatest extent possible, minimize contact with anyone outside of your immediate household.”
For the next three weeks, direct contact sports will not be allowed to practice or play within the county. That includes professional and college teams.
The 49ers won’t be able to practice during this time in Santa Clara or anywhere else in the County. The team is looking for a place outside the County that doesn’t have restrictions.
They also won’t be able to play their December 7 and 13 home games at Levi’s Stadium.
According to ESPN, 49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan was upset that the team did not get any advance warning and had to find out about the restrictions like everyone else.
County sources say that the team has been lobbying at the County for some time about relaxing COVID-19 health restrictions. They are in regular contact with local health officials.
But the 49ers are trying to use their political connections, too. They are in contact with Supervisor Cindy Chavez and Supervisor Susan Ellenberg or their staffs.
Other Restrictions
The County also requires anyone coming into the County from more than 150 miles away to self-quarantine by sheltering-in-place for 14 days.
Starting today there are new restrictions for indoor businesses. Retail stores must limit their capacity to 10 percent. Grocery stores and drug stores must limit capacity to 25 percent.
For more info, see the County’s COVID-19 site.
Editor’s Note: The original version of this story inadvertently said Kyle Shanahan “wasn’t” upset. It has been corrected to “was.”

[…] as we reported, the State classified our County as a “purple tier” and established new restrictions. One of […]
More ridiculous control tactics.
Why would you need to quarantine before entering a hot zone? Shouldn’t you quarantine before you leave?
Why do the 49ers have their knickers in a twist? Jed York owns Santa Clara Council majority now. Those bozos are ready to payback Jed’s millions!
Your article indicated Kyle Shanahan wasn’t upset, he was upset after the game on how the county handled the virus situation. As a resident of Santa Clara County, I’m not that impressed with Dr. Cody.
Does this mean that the team (and their staff) will have to self-quarantine for 2 weeks after returning from practice or a game if it is located more than 150 miles away?