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Exemptions for Certain Stable Cohorts of Fully Vaccinated Individuals

DATE OF AMENDMENT: October 21, 2021

Please read this Order carefully.  Violation of or failure to comply with this Order is a misdemeanor punishable by fine, imprisonment, or both.  (California Health and Safety Code § 120275, et seq.)

Frequently Asked Questions »

UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF CALIFORNIA HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE SECTIONS 101040, 101085, AND 120175, THE HEALTH OFFICER OF THE COUNTY OF SONOMA (“HEALTH OFFICER”) ORDERS:

1. Except as otherwise set forth herein, the Order of the Heath Officer of the County of Sonoma (C19-25) and the July 28, 2021 Guidance for the Use of Face Coverings issued by the California Department of Public Health (“CDPH”) as may be amended from time to time, continue to apply throughout Sonoma County.
2. Summary. This Amendment maintains the Order C19-25 requirement that all individuals wear face coverings when indoors in workplaces and public settings, with limited exemptions, and maintains the recommendation that businesses make face coverings available to individuals entering businesses. This Amendment creates an additional exemption to the face covering requirement in certain indoor settings with stable cohorts of fully vaccinated individuals, as defined. Specifically, if an employer, host, or organizer verifies that all individuals are fully vaccinated, individuals in the following indoor settings may be exempt from the face covering requirement: offices, gyms, fitness centers, employee commuter vehicles, religious gatherings, college classes, and other organized gatherings of individuals who meet regularly, provided that all requirements set forth in section 5 of this Amendment are met.
3. Effective Date: This Order takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on October 22, 2021.
4. Basis. Since March 2021, the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant has been circulating in Sonoma County. This variant is highly transmissible in indoor settings and requires multi-component prevention strategies to reduce spread. Despite high vaccination rates, Sonoma County continues to experience substantial levels of community transmission of COVID-19 due to the Delta variant. The vast majority of COVID-19 cases are among unvaccinated residents.
   Since the Order C19-25 took effect on August 3, 2021, Sonoma County has seen a decrease in the rate of COVID-19 transmission in the community. COVID-19 hospitalizations have also decreased. Sonoma County’s vaccination rate continues to increase. As a result, the Health Officer has determined that the indoor face covering requirement may be lifted in certain indoor settings of certain stable cohorts in which an employer, host, or organizer has verified that all individuals present are fully vaccinated, as defined.
   The Health Officer will continue to assess the public health situation as it evolves and may modify this Amendment, or issue additional orders, related to COVID-19, as changing circumstances dictate.
5. Exemption from the Indoor Face Covering For Certain Stable Cohorts of Fully Vaccinated Individuals.
   1. In indoor workplaces, gyms, fitness centers, employee commuter vehicles, religious gatherings, college classes, and other organized gatherings of individuals who meet regularly, individuals are exempt from the face covering requirement in Order C19-25 if all of the following circumstances are met:
      1. The host, employer, or organizer has verified that all individuals present are Fully Vaccinated;
      2. There are no more than 100 individuals present, and the group of persons present gathers on a regular basis;
      3. The host, employer, or organizer can control access to the setting, and the setting is not open to the general public;
      4. The host, employer, or organizer maintains a list of individuals present;
      5. The host, employer, or organizer posts signage prohibiting entry by persons who have a cough, fever or other symptoms that could be consistent with COVID-19; and
      6. The host, employer, or organizer posts signage prohibiting entry by persons who have symptoms consistent with COVID-19, is awaiting results of a COVID-19 test, or had a known exposure to a person infected with the COVID-19 virus within the last 14 days.
   2. Hosts, employers, or organizers shall verify the vaccine status of individuals with one of the following:
      1. The original U.S. Department of Health and Human Services CDC vaccination card issued to the individual following administration of the COVID-19 Vaccine (CDC Card);
      2. The original WHO International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis issued to the individual following administration of the COVID-19 Vaccine in a foreign country (WHO Yellow Card);
      3. A paper photograph or photocopy of the CDC Card or WHO Yellow Card;
      4. An electronic image of the CDC Card or WHO Yellow Card;
      5. A digital copy of the individual’s COVID-19 Vaccine record, obtained through https://myvaccinerecord.cdph.ca.gov/; or
      6. Medical record from a licensed healthcare provider that the individual is Fully Vaccinated with COVID-19 Vaccine.
   3. In the absence of knowledge to the contrary, hosts, employers, or organizers may accept the documentation presented in subsection (b) above as valid.
   4. Hosts, employers, or organizers operating under this section shall maintain all paperwork on file for a minimum of 30 days by an authorized representative of the Health Officer.
   5. This exception does not apply to any facility where individuals are required to wear face coverings indoors, regardless of COVID-19 Vaccine status, according to federal or state law, regulation, or order.
6. Definition. For purposes of this Amendment:
   “COVID-19 Vaccine” means a vaccine to prevent COVID-19 that is (1) administered under an emergency use authorization from the FDA; (2) approved by the FDA; or (3) listed for emergency use by the World Health Organization.
   “Fully Vaccinated” means an individual’s status two weeks following the individual’s receipt of a single-dose COVID-19 Vaccine or the second dose of a two-dose COVID-19 Vaccine.
7. Obligation to Follow Stricter Requirements of Orders. Where a conflict exists between this Amendment and Order and any state or federal orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the most restrictive provision (i.e., the more protective of public health) controls.
8. Severability. If any provision of this Amendment to the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held to be invalid, the reminder of the Amendment, including the application of such part or provision to other persons or circumstances, shall not be affected and shall continue in full force and effect. To this end, the provisions of this Amendment are severable.
9. Copies; Contact Information. Copies of this Amendment shall promptly be: (1) made available at the County Administration Center at 575 Administration Drive, Santa Rosa CA 95403; (2) posted on the County Public Health Department website (https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/Health/Public-Health/) and (https://socoemergency.org/); and (3) provided to any member of the public requesting a copy of this Amendment.

IT IS SO ORDERED:

Dr. Sundari R. Mase, MD MPH

Health Officer of the County of Sonoma

Frequently asked questions

Masks must be worn, regardless of vaccination status, in public indoor settings in Sonoma County under a health order issued on Aug. 3. A health order issued on Oct. 21 by County Health Officer Dr. Sundari Mase permits some exceptions to the order.