The following is information about the City of San José’s response to slow and reduce the spread of COVID-19 and support of an equitable recovery to a “Better Normal.”  

Updates on City of San José Services and/or Operations

San José City Council: The San José City Council is in recess for the holidays. The first council meeting upon their return will be on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022.

  • San José City Hall, City Offices to Close Dec. 23 – Jan. 3, 2022: The City’s Emergency Operations Center will continue operating while most City services will be closed in observance of the holiday furlough, Thursday, Dec. 23, to Monday, Jan. 3, 2022. Public safety and utility services will operate during the holiday.
    • Customer Contact Center (San José 311): The City’s Customer Contact Center will be closed on Dec. 23, 24, 30 and 31. An answering service will provide information and assistance to callers. Non-emergency requests requiring follow-up will be routed to the proper department and handled during open business hours.
    • San José Public Libraries:  In observance of the Christmas holiday, all City libraries will be closed Friday and Saturday, Dec. 24-25, and will resume normal business hours on Monday, Dec. 27. All libraries will be closed on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 31 to Jan. 1, 2022, for the New Year’s holiday and will reopen Monday, Jan. 3, 2022. The Library’s online collection, eLibrary card registration, eLearning resources, and streaming services are always available at sjpl.org.
    • San José Community Centers and Regional Parks: All City community centers and several regional parks will be closed on Dec. 23-25, 30-31, and Jan. 1, 2022. For a list of seasonal park and program closures, visit the Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) holiday closure web page for additional information.
    • Garbage and Recycling Service: Garbage and recycling service collection scheduled for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, will occur as usual. Residents can contact their garbage, recycling, or yard trimmings company, or use SJ 311. Visit www.sanjoseca.gov/311 to report missed collections, damaged carts, or to change cart size. Visit www.sjenvironment.org/lookup to locate your collection companies.
    • San José Clean Energy Customer Contact Center: San José Clean Energy’s (SJCE) customer contact center (833-432-2454) will be closed on Friday-Monday, Dec. 24-27, and Friday-Monday, Dec. 31-Jan. 3, 2022. Customers can use the automated answering service 24/7, email customerservice@sanjosecleanenergy.orgor visit www.SanJoseCleanEnergy.org.
    • Permit Center, Cashier, and Business Tax Services:  The Development Services Permit Center along with Cashier and Business Tax Services will be closed Dec. 23 to Jan. 2, 2022. These services will continue to be by-appointment-only in the new year. Appointments can be booked online 24/7 at www.sanjoseca.gov/PermitCenter. Please remember that for more than 50 types of simple projects, you can visit SJPermits.org to conveniently download a building permit.
    • Building Inspections and Inspection Scheduling: Building inspections can be scheduled online 24/7 at www.SJPermits.org. Inspections scheduled Dec. 27-29 (between the Christmas and New Year holidays) will proceed.
    • Limited Code Enforcement Service during City Hall Closure: From Dec. 23 to Jan. 2, 2022, Code Enforcement will respond only to emergency conditions on private property, such as sewage leaks in a yard; an imminent hazard to health and safety in housing or buildings; and other issues listed at www.sanjoseca.gov/CodeEnforcement. If you observe an emergency condition, please call 408-793-6851 right away. Other types of code enforcement complaints can be filed 24/7 at www.sanjoseca.gov/RequestCodeService; an inspector will respond after City Hall reopens on Jan. 3, 2022.
  • San José Food Distribution During the Winter Holidays: Many food distribution sites will be closed on certain days from Dec. 20 through Jan. 2, 2022, and we urge residents to prepare in advance of Dec. 23, 24, 30 and 31 dates. Please note the following food and meal distribution changes:
    • Senior Nutrition Program (SNP) sites will be closed Dec. 23-25, 30-31 and Jan. 1, 2022. Shelf Stable meals will be available from your SNP on Dec. 22 and 29 in advance of the Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve holidays. Please check with your SNP program in advance.
    • Meals On Wheels will be delivering as normal for Dec. 23 and 30. As there are no Friday deliveries for this program, the Dec. 24 and 31 meals will be delivered in advance as normally scheduled.

    In addition, the City of San José’s Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) will post #SJWinterHolidaysFoodInfo on their social media sites during the two-week Winter Holiday period. Follow PRNS on Facebook or Twitter for additional information.

    Residents can access information regarding food distribution every Monday by using the City’s Food distribution map. The next update will be released on Dec. 20. However, we strongly encourage you to check in advance with the site for current days and hours of food distribution as information may have changed or updated by the food-providing agency.

    TO GET FOOD:

    • Call 2-1-1, a 24-hour, multi-lingual service
    • Text your zip code to 89821
    • Call 800-984-3663, Second Harvest of Silicon Valley’s toll-free hotline or
    • Text GETFOOD to 408-455-5181 to request assistance from Second Harvest
  • Holiday Schedule for Eviction Prevention Help Centers: The City’s eviction prevention help center will be open for phone consultations from Dec. 27 to 29 by calling 408-975-4444 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. The facilities at the Franklin-McKinley School District Office and City Hall will be closed from Dec. 23 to Jan. 2, 2022. Regular office hours will resume on Jan. 3, 2022.
  • Rental Assistance Staff at Superior Court: Rental assistance staff will be working inside the superior courthouse during the holidays to help tenants apply for emergency rental assistance. Staff will be in the courthouse from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, Dec. 22-23 and Dec. 29-30. The courthouse is located at 191 N. First Street in San José.

Update from Santa Clara County

  • First Case of Omicron Variant Detected: Last week, the County received its first report of a county resident with the Omicron variant of COVID-19. The individual, who had recently returned from domestic travel out of state, was fully vaccinated but had not yet received a booster.This news, in conjunction with rising case counts in the county, Bay Area, and across the state, serves as a reminder for residents to adopt preventive measures, including vaccinations and booster shots. With the approval last week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the County has begun accepting Pfizer booster appointments for those ages 16 and older, who received the second dose of their primary COVID-19 vaccination at least six months ago.

    With the holidays upon us, the following guidance is offered to keep everyone safe:

    • Get tested immediately before travel, upon return, and again three to five days later.
    • Have everyone ages 5+ get their COVID vaccination.
    • Have everyone ages 16+ get their COVID booster.
    • Wear a mask indoors and in crowded settings.
    • Keep group gatherings small in both size and duration. Gather only with close family units.
    • Outside gatherings are safer than indoor gatherings.
    • Be cautious around elderly or immunocompromised individuals and consider COVID-19 testing before such interactions.

    Parents of very young children and those who have not been vaccinated should make sure to take all advised precautions. Avoid large gatherings. Always wear a mask in indoor public settings and in crowded outdoor settings (unless under age two).

    Vaccinations through the County are no-cost to the public, insurance is not required, and there are no immigration requirements. Appointments can be made at www.sccfreevax.org.

Update from the State of California

  • Masks Required for All Public Indoor Settings: Beginning today, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is requiring masks to be worn in all indoor public settings regardless of vaccine status through Jan. 15, 2022. This new requirement is in response to the rising case rate and hospitalizations, which have risen since Thanksgiving by 47 and 14 percent, respectively. In addition to the updated requirement on mask wearing, CDPH offers guidance on getting the most out of masking.Additionally, the CDPH updated requirements for attending mega events, like concerts and sporting events. Prior to attending an event, attendees will now be required to show either proof of vaccination, a negative antigen COVID-19 test within one day of the event, or a negative PCR test within two days of the event. NOTE: Per City of San Jose urgency ordinance, operators or hosts of large indoor events at City-owned facilities with 50 or more guests shall require all attendees age 12 and older and all staff to show proof of full vaccination before entering the facility.

    CDPH also issued a new travel advisory effective Dec. 13 recommending that all travelers arriving in California test for COVID-19 within three to five days after arrival, regardless of their vaccination status.

COVID-19 Vaccine, Testing, Tracing, and Support Services

  • No Appointment Necessary for COVID-19 Vaccinations: The vaccine clinic locations listed below do not require advance appointments, however, capacity and wait times may vary. Vaccines are free, and no insurance or proof of immigration status is required. Anyone age five or older is eligible. Staff will be onsite to support language needs and disability access. Individuals seeking vaccination are encouraged to arrive at least one hour before closing time. Additional clinic dates and locations are added frequently, check www.sccfreevax.org for the most up-to-date information. For Santa Clara County locations outside of San José, visit the County’s vaccinations web page.Booster shots are now recommended for everyone 16 and older and available to those who received Pfizer or Moderna for their second dose at least six months ago or who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago. The Pfizer booster dose is available to anyone 16 and older; the Moderna booster is available to anyone 18 and older.

    At the sites where there are **, vaccines for 5-11 are not available.

    • Sun Pharmacy
      2559 S. King Rd., San José 95122
      Wednesday-Friday, Dec. 1-3, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
      Saturday, Dec. 18, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
    • Advance San José Pharmacy**
      2331 Montpelier Dr., Suite A-10, San José 95116
      Wednesday-Friday, Dec. 15-17, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
    • Emma Prusch Farm Park, Multicultural Arts Center
      647 S. King Rd., San José 96116
      Wednesday-Thursday, Dec. 15-16, 12 to 7 p.m.
      Limited walk-in availability.
    • Medical Offices of Dan Hopner, MD/Rom Romero, PA
      2060 Aborn Rd., Ste. 100, San José 95121
      Wednesday-Thursday, Dec. 15-16, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
    • Sherman Oaks Elementary School
      1800 Fruitdale Ave., San José 95128
      Wednesday, Dec. 15, 3 to 7 p.m.
      Limited walk-in availability.
    • Mayfair Community Center
      2039 Kammer Ave/. San José 95116
      Wednesday, Dec. 15, 1:30 to 7 p.m.
      Limited walk-in availability.
    • Our Lady of Guadalupe Church
      2020 E. San Antonio St., San José 95116
      Thursday, Dec. 16, 12 to 7 p.m.
      Limited walk-in availability.
    • Story Road Hub
      1775 Story Rd., San José 95122
      Friday, Dec. 17, 3 to 7:30 p.m.
      Saturday, Dec. 18, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
      Limited walk-in availability.
    • Anne Darling Elementary School
      333 N. 33rd St., San Jose 95133
      Friday, Dec. 17, 3 to 7:30 p.m.
      Limited walk-in availability.
    • Discovery II Charter School
      762 Sunset Glen Dr., San José 95117
      Friday, Dec. 17, 1:30 to 7 p.m.
      Limited walk-in availability.
    • Berryessa Community Center
      3050 Berryessa Rd., San José 95132
      Monday, Dec. 20, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Appointments Available for Testing This Week: Appointment-based testing continues at locations throughout Santa Clara County. For locations outside of San José, visit the County’s COVID-19 testing web page. Walk-ins continue to be accepted at standing pop-up sites in San José.Please visit www.sccfreetest.org to make an appointment and find the most up-to-date information. Testing is free at all these sites.
    • Santa Clara County Fairgrounds-Parking Lot A
      344 Tully Rd., San José 95111 (Across from Gate B)
      Thursdays-Mondays, 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
      Tuesdays-Wednesdays, 12:30 to 8 p.m.
    • Valley Water (OptumServe/CDPH Bus)
      5750 Almaden Expy., San José 95118
      Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
    • Costco Business Center (OptumServe/CDPH Bus)
      2376 S. Evergreen Loop, San José 95122
      Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
    • Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority
      2240 S. 7th St., San José 95112
      Wednesday, Dec. 15, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
    • Grand Century Mall (OptumServe/CDPH Bus)
      1111 Story Rd., San José 95122
      Thursday, Dec. 16, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
    • Santa Clara County Office of Education (OptumServe)
      1290 Ridder Park Dr., San José 95131
      Friday and Tuesday, Dec. 17 and 21, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
    • Santa Clara Valley Medical Center – Valley Health Center East Valley
      1993 McKee Rd., San José 95116
      Saturdays and Sundays, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Pop-up Testing Sites: No appointments needed
    • Bay Area Community Health – Monterey Clinic
      5504 Monterey Hwy., San José 95138
      Wednesdays, 8 to 10 a.m.
      Saturdays, 9 to 11 a.m.

    County test sites provide COVID-19 tests free of charge, regardless of immigration status, and no doctor’s note is needed. For people without COVID-19 symptoms, the County currently offers indoor and drive-through sites. People with symptoms are directed to drive-through sites to reduce the chance of getting others sick.

    All healthcare systems are required by the County order to offer free testing to symptomatic persons, persons who have been exposed to a confirmed COVID-19 case, and all essential workers. For more information on testing rights, see the  Frequently Asked Questions page.

    All test sites are mapped on the County’s website at www.sccfreetest.org. The site is available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Tagalog. Information is also available by calling 2-1-1.

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A person’s risk for COVID-19 is not related to race, ethnicity or culture. City employees must abide by the Discrimination and Harassment policy, and treat colleagues and members of the public with courtesy and respect. Discrimination and/or Harassment of any kind is a violation of the policies and will not be tolerated.

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