Entertainment Commission hears mask-order update, welcomes two new staff

The San Francisco Entertainment Commission opened its Feb. 15 virtual meeting with a staff briefing on public-health guidance and personnel changes.

Executive Director Weiland told commissioners that beginning Feb. 16 San Francisco, in coordination with state direction and eight other Bay Area counties, will lift universal indoor mask requirements for most indoor public settings for patrons and staff, though masks will remain mandatory on public transit, in health-care settings, and in K–12 and child-care settings. Weiland said unvaccinated people over age 2 must still wear masks. The commission also was reminded that venues may set their own mask policies and may require proof of vaccination or negative tests for entry into indoor venues where food or drink is consumed.

Weiland introduced two new employees now working with the commission. Mae Leung, joining from FilmSF, will serve as the commission secretary and take on one-time-permit work; Leung said she has almost eight years’ experience as a film‑commission secretary and is active in Bay Area theater. Andrew Zavrina will join the enforcement team as a sound inspector, Weiland said; Zavrina described experience in music production, event production and nightclub security detail.

On routine business, the commission approved the minutes from its Feb. 1 meeting and approved a single consent-item permit for the Community Arts Stabilization Trust (CAST) with the standard Good Neighbor Policy and SFPD conditions. The items were approved by roll call vote.

The commission adjourned the director’s report portion after taking public comment (none was offered) and moved on to regular permit hearings.