The County’s Health Orders and Guidance are updated as needed based on changing State requirements and current local needs as determined by the County Health Officer. In order to see the most current orders that may supersede any previous order, please view local orders and guidance, and state orders.
The public can see what’s open and what’s closed in Sonoma County to find more details on what businesses are currently open in Sonoma County. The California Blueprint for a Safer Economy provides information on the state’s criteria for loosening and tightening restrictions on activities.
Appendix E: Industry Specific Guidance of the Health Officer of the County of Sonoma Regarding Required Best Practices For Outdoor Recreation Activity Businesses
This industry-specific guidance is being issued pursuant to the June 5, 2020 Order of the
Health Officer C19-14 (the “Shelter in Place Order”) and unless otherwise defined below,
initially capitalized terms used in this guidance have the same meaning given them in that order.
This guidance goes into effect immediately upon issuance.
This guidance remains in effect until suspended, superseded, or amended by the Health
Officer, is supported by the justifications set forth in the Shelter in Place Order, and
automatically incorporates any revisions to that order or other future orders issued by the Health
Officer that supersede that order or reference this guidance. All businesses addressed herein and
allowed to operate under the Shelter in Place Order are required to follow this industry-specific
guidance and implement all Best Practices detailed below.
This guidance and its enumerated Best Practices may be revised by the Health Officer,
through revision of this guidance or another future order, as conditions relating to COVID-19
require, in the discretion of the Health Officer. Each business identified herein must stay
updated regarding any changes to the Shelter in Place Order, and local and state sector specific
guidance by applicable to it by checking the website listed in Section 18 of the Shelter in Place
Order.
UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF CALIFORNIA HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE
SECTIONS 101040, 101085, AND 120175, THE HEALTH OFFICER DIRECTS AS FOLLOWS:
This guidance applies to all owners, operators, managers, or supervisors of any business
that Shelter in Place Order allowed to be open to the public in the County of Sonoma (the
“County”) and that consist of any of the following:
- An Outdoor Business otherwise entitled to operate under the Shelter in Place Order, and
which previously operated predominately outside and provides its customers with
recreational activities, opportunities and/or instruction occurring exclusively outside (and
“Outdoor Recreation Activity Business”)
- Each Outdoor Recreation Activity Business must prepare, post, and implement a Social
Distancing Protocol, attached as Appendix A to the Order, and any other industry or
activity specific guidance issued by the Health Officer.
- Depending on the nature of the business covered by this guidance, there may be certain
people associated with the business that are subject to this guidance. Collectively those
people are referred to by this guidance and the Best Practices as “Personnel”, and those
people include all of the following who provide goods or services associated with the
business in the County: employees; contractors and sub-contractors (such as those who
sell goods or perform services onsite or who deliver goods for the business); independent
contractors (such as “gig workers” who perform work via the business’ app or other
online interface); vendors who are permitted to sell goods onsite (such as farmers or
others who sell at stalls in farmers’ markets); volunteers; and other individuals who
regularly provide services onsite at the request of the business. This guidance requires the
business to ensure that Personnel who perform work associated with the business are
addressed by the Social Distancing Protocol and comply with those requirements.
- Implementation of this guidance augments—but does not limit—the obligations of each
recreational equipment rental business under all other existing Health Officer Orders,
including, but not limited to, the Face Coverings Requirements and the obligation to
prepare, post, and implement a Social Distancing Protocol, attached as Appendix A to the
Order, and any other industry or activity specific guidance issued by the Health Officer.
- Best Practices for Outdoor Recreation Activity Businesses:
- Ensure all Personnel and clients comply with the Social Distancing and Hygiene
Requirements detailed in the Shelter in Place Order.
- Conduct all business and transactions involving members of the public in outdoor
spaces in accordance with the requirements for Outdoor Businesses detailed in the
Shelter in Place Order.
- Any indoor facilities related to Outdoor Recreation Activity Business must be
closed to the public.
- Businesses offering classes or guided tours must track names and contact
information for all activities and roll must be taken at each class or activity to
enable potential tracking of transmission.
- Groups must be limited to a maximum of 10 individuals per group, not including
any instructors or other Personnel. Youth under 18 years of age must be
accompanied by an adult.
- No direct physical contact. No tournaments, competitions or other sporting
events. No live audience activities. Recreational campgrounds remain closed.
- Participants will be encouraged to provide their own equipment to the greatest
extent possible. Any rental or business-provided equipment will be sanitized after
each use and follow Industry-Specific Guidance of the Health Officer for
Recreational Equipment Rental Businesses.
- Equipment issued to a client will only be used by that client. Equipment will not
be shared during a rental or activity.
- Clients should be encouraged to provide their own transportation to and from the
activity site. Transit options provided by an Outdoor Recreation Activity Business
shall comply Social Distancing and Hygiene Requirements, Face Coverings
Requirements, as well as relevant guidance for Public Transit and Intercity
Passenger Rail (https://covid19.ca.gov/pdf/guidance-transit-rail.pdf).
- No congregating will be allowed before or after class.
- Clients will provide or purchase their own water bottles, sunscreen and personal
food.
- Whenever possible, businesses should use markers to designate spots for each
participant, and throughout class remind participants to stay in their marked area.
- Personnel shall screen all participants for symptoms before beginning any outdoor
activity. The individual conducting the screening will avoid close contact with
participants. Both screener and participant will wear Face Coverings during
screening and throughout the remainder of activity as required by the Face
Coverings Requirements of the Shelter in Place Order C19-14.
- This guidance is issued in furtherance of the purposes of the Shelter in Place Order.
Where a conflict exists between this guidance and any state, local, or federal public
health order related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including, without limitation, the Social
Distancing Protocol, the most restrictive provision controls. Failure to carry out this
guidance is a violation of the Shelter in Place Order, constitutes an imminent threat and
menace to public health, constitutes a public nuisance, and is a misdemeanor punishable
by fine, imprisonment, or both.