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June 17, 2020 3:15 PM

Order of the Health Officer of the County of Sonoma C19-15

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Attachments:

DATE OF ORDER: June 18, 2020

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.)

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. Summary. Widespread compliance with the Sonoma County Health Officer’s COVID-19 Orders has been successful in “flattening the curve” and interrupting transmission of the virus. The Health Orders have been tailored to address the unique characteristics of the County’s economy and virus transmission. New State Orders now allow counties to expand reopening further into the Governor’s Recovery Roadmap which now includes gyms, fitness centers, movie theatres, entertainment centers, casinos, cardrooms, racetracks, bars, zoos, museums, galleries, aquariums, hotels and short term rentals (for tourism and individual travel), campgrounds, schools and school-based programs, and personal care services. Now that most businesses and activities have been allowed to reopen, the Health Officer is amending the shelter in place order to align the local order with the businesses and activities permitted to operate by the State. The intention is to reduce complexity and make it clear that staying healthy depends, in large part, on an individuals and businesses implementing mitigation measures and making choices to minimize activities that increase potential exposure to COVID-19.
  2. County/State Order Alignment. This Order (found at www.socoemergency.org) allows the reopening of all businesses and activities in the County that are currently approved to operate under the State Stay at Home Order (https://covid19.ca.gov/), State and local guidance. (https://covid19.ca.gov/stay-home-except-for-essential-needs/) and sector specific guidance contained in Section 23 below, including under the business management plans approved by the Health Officer, in cooperation with the Economic Development Board (see, the “SoCo Launch” website at http://sonomaedb.org/). All current and future businesses and activities are subject to local sector specific guidance and restrictions in this Order, including Social Distancing and Hygiene Requirements, Face Coverings Requirements (Appendix B), and the preparing, posting, and implementing of a Social Distancing Protocol & COVID-19 Site-Specific Protection Plan, attached to this Order as Appendix A.
  3. Personal Risk-Based Assessment. The State has opened the door to resumption of a wide range of businesses. It would be a mistake if this was seen as a return to normal. The virus is not contained. There is still a clear and present danger to the community by its continued transmission. This is especially true for indoor activities, when individuals are at close quarters, interacting with greater numbers of people, and/or are interacting with non-household members for longer durations.
    The evidence shows that a significant percentage of virus transmission is from people who are asymptomatic or have very mild symptoms. Health screenings may not detect these individuals. While a given activity may be allowed, the Health Officer advises that community members conduct their own risk-based assessment of what activities are appropriate, especially those who have underlying medical conditions, people age 65 or older, or who are otherwise vulnerable (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/index.html ). The Health Officer recommends that individual utilize the CDC Deciding to Go Out decision-making tool to help them make a personal decision about the risk of any given activity (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/activities.html).
  4. Stay Well Sonoma County. As detailed in this Order, while a given activity may be one that is now conditionally allowed, each activity carries its own set of risks and is subject to local and State requirements for social distancing, hygiene, and face covering, as well as any sector specific guidance or business management plans. It is up to the business owners, organizers and participants in any given activity to understand and follow the public health guidance that applies to that activity for the protection of employees, customers, and the public, and to cooperate with public health enforcement and disease control unit/contact tracers to help limit the spread of the virus.
    While certain indoor activities and businesses are allowed in this Order to operate, such as retail, restaurants, and faith-based gatherings, the science is clear that, to the extent that these activities can continue to be done outdoors (such as retail curbside pickup, outdoor dining or outdoor faith based services), or remotely via electronic means, the risk of virus transmission is lower and is therefore strongly recommended.
  5. Health Officer Pandemic Strategy. The Health Officer strategy at this point is to reduce the virus infection rate through a strategy of widespread testing, contact tracing to isolate infected individuals, quarantine of those infected, and aggressive implementation of mitigation measures such as social distancing, hygiene, face coverings, and implementation of sector specific business guidance and management plans. When infection clusters are discovered in businesses, the current plan is to temporarily close the businesses to prevent additional spread and allow for deep cleaning rather than close down a business sector. Success will only be possible if individuals comply with these Orders and businesses conscientiously implement the required local and State Guidance and business management plans. Data regarding the COVID-19 Indicators (Section 11), especially the rate of hospitalizations or deaths, could change this approach.
    The only way we can all continue to live with COVID-19 is with efficient and effective contact tracing that can quickly identify, notify, and seclude sick and exposed individuals. All businesses and individuals must do their part and cooperate with public health disease control unit/contact tracers. To that end, businesses are strongly encouraged to keep a list of employees and attendees (for at least one month) to provide to public health in the event that a cluster of cases are discovered in the business.
  6. Effective Period. This Order shall become effective at 12:01 a.m. on June 19, 2020 and will continue until it is extended, rescinded, superseded, or amended in writing by the Health Officer or the State Health Officer. Like the Governor’s Executive Orders N-33-20 and N-60-20, this Order does not have a specific end date so that modifications can be made as necessary (either loosening or tightening restrictions) as changes in the data or State approach may dictate.
  7. Supersedes Prior Orders. This Order supersedes the June 5, 2020 Shelter in Place Order of the Health Officer C19-14 (“Prior Shelter Order”). This Order balances the risk of increased transmission with the need to protect individuals at high risk of disease, as well as the social, emotional, and economic impact of certain restrictions. As of the effective date and time of this Order set forth in Section 6 above, all individuals, businesses, and government agencies within the County are required to follow this Order.
  8. Purpose and Intent. The intent of this Order is to continue to slow the spread of COVID-19 to the maximum extent possible and mitigate the impact on delivery of critical healthcare services. All provisions of this Order must be interpreted to effectuate this intent. This Order also includes County specific restrictions, including Social Distancing and Hygiene Requirements in Section 21, Face Coverings Requirements in Section 22 and Exhibit B, and preparing, posting, and implementing a Social Distancing Protocol & COVID-19 Site-Specific Protection Plan, attached to this Order as Appendix A. Failure to comply with any of the provisions of this Order constitutes an imminent threat and menace to public health, constitutes a public nuisance, and is punishable by fine, imprisonment, or both.
  9. Evidence and Data Driven Approach. This Order is issued based on evidence of continued community transmission of COVID-19 within the County and throughout the Bay Area; continued uncertainty regarding the degree of undetected asymptomatic transmission; scientific evidence and best practices regarding the most effective approaches to slow the transmission of communicable diseases generally and COVID-19 specifically; evidence that the age, condition, and health of a significant portion of the population of the County places it at risk for serious health complications, including death, from COVID-19; and further evidence that others, including younger and otherwise healthy people, are also at risk for serious outcomes. Due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus in the general public, which is now a pandemic according to the World Health Organization, there is a public health emergency throughout the County. Making the problem worse, some individuals who contract the virus causing the COVID-19 disease have no symptoms or have mild symptoms, which means they may not be aware they carry the virus and are transmitting it to others.
    The scientific evidence shows that at this stage of the emergency, it remains essential to continue to slow virus transmission to help: (a) protect the most vulnerable; (b) prevent the health care system from being overwhelmed; (c) prevent long-term chronic health conditions, such as cardiovascular, kidney, and respiratory damage and loss of limbs from blood clotting; and (d) prevent deaths. At the same time, since the Prior Shelter Order was issued the County has made significant progress in expanding health system capacity and healthcare resources and in slowing community transmission of COVID-19. In light of progress on these indicators, and subject to continued monitoring and potential public health-based responses, it is appropriate at this time to allow additional businesses and activity to resume in the County.
  10. Current County Data. The collective efforts taken to date regarding this public health emergency have slowed the virus’ trajectory, but the emergency and the attendant risk to public health remain significant. This Order is issued in light of the existence of 803 cases of COVID-19 and 4 deaths in the County as of June 18, 2020. The cumulative number of confirmed cases continues to increase, though the positivity rate was stable in the days leading up to this Order. Evidence suggests that the restrictions on mobility, social distancing, hygiene, and face covering requirements, as well as any specific protocols or business-specific guidance, have been effective in slowing the rate of increase in community transmission and confirmed cases.
  11. COVID-19 Indicators. The Health Officer, in conjunction with Bay Area Health Officers, is monitoring several key indicators (“COVID-19 Indicators”), which are among the many factors informing decisions whether to modify existing shelter-in-place restrictions. The COVID-19 Indicators include, but are not limited to, the following:
    1. The trend of the number of new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations per day;
    2. The capacity of hospitals and the health system in the County and region, including acute care beds and Intensive Care Unit beds, to provide care for COVID-19 patients and other patients, including during a surge in COVID-19 cases;
    3. The supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) available for hospital staff and other healthcare providers and personnel who need PPE to safely respond to and treat COVID-19 patients;
    4. The ability and capacity to quickly and accurately test persons to determine whether they are COVID-19 positive, especially those in vulnerable populations or high-risk settings or occupations; and
    5. The ability to conduct case investigation and contact tracing for the volume of cases and associated contacts that will continue to occur, isolating confirmed cases and quarantining persons who have had contact with confirmed cases.
  12. State Stay at Home Order. This Order is issued in light of the March 19, 2020 Order of the State Public Health Officer, which set baseline statewide restrictions effective until further notice, as well as the Governor’s May 4, 2020 Executive Order N-60-20, which informed local health jurisdictions and industry sectors that they may gradually reopen under new modifications and guidance provided by the State per the May 7, 2020 State Public Health Order (the “State Stay at Home Order”). This Order adopts and incorporates by reference subsequent amendments, designations, directives, or guidance issued by the State of California pertaining to its State Stay at Home Order and the process for reopening businesses and activities using a four-stage framework to allow for the gradual resuming of various activities while continuing to preserve public health in the face of COVID-19. All provisions of the State Stay at Home Order and related guidance, whether framed as discretionary, recommended or mandatory are hereby incorporated as enforceable elements of this Order.
  13. This Order is also issued in accordance with, and incorporates by reference, the June 5, 2020 Order of the Health Officer C19-14; the May 22, 2020 Amendment No. 3 to Order of the Health Officer C19-09; the May 14, 2020 Amendment No. 2 to Order of the Health Officer C19-09; the May 7, 2020 Amendment No. 1 to Order of the Health Officer No. C19-09; the May 4, 2020 Executive Order of the Governor (N-60-20); the March 19, 2020 Executive Order of the Governor (N-33-20); the March 13, 2020 Order of the Health Officer No. C19-02; the March 4, 2020 Proclamation of a State of Emergency issued by Governor Gavin Newsom; the March 2, 2020 Proclamation of Local Emergency for the County of Sonoma issued by the Director of Emergency Services Declaring the Existence of a Local Emergency in the County Regarding Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19); the Declaration of Local Health Emergency Regarding Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) issued by the Health Officer; the March 4, 2020 Resolution of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Sonoma Ratifying and Extending the Declaration of a Local Health Emergency, and the March 4, 2020 Resolution of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Sonoma Ratifying and Extending the Proclamation of a Local Emergency.
  14. Conflicts between Orders. Where a conflict exists between this Order and any State public health order related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the most restrictive provision controls. Consistent with California Health and Safety Code section 131080, the more restrictive provisions between this Order and State orders apply and control in this County. In addition, to the extent any federal guidelines allow activities that are not allowed by this Order, this Order controls and those activities are not allowed. In addition, to the extent any federal guidelines allow activities that are not allowed by this Order, this Order controls and those activities are not allowed.
  15. Individuals. When people need to leave their place of residence, they must strictly comply with Social Distancing and Hygiene Requirements and the Face Coverings Requirements. People at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 (as defined in Section 25) and people who are sick are strongly urged to stay in their residence to the extent possible, except as necessary to seek medical care or engage in essential activities. Individuals experiencing homelessness are strongly urged to obtain shelter, and governmental and other entities are strongly urged to, as soon as possible, make such shelter available and provide handwashing or hand sanitation facilities to persons who continue experiencing homelessness.
  16. Activities. Permissible activities under this Order include all activities allowed under the State Stay at Home Order (see Stay Home Q&A [https://covid19.ca.gov/stay-home-except-for-essential-needs/#top]) and State sector specific guidance at the links below in Section 23 and Appendix C) and includes the following additional activities, allowances, and restrictions, and subject to Social Distancing and Hygiene Requirements and Face Coverings Requirements. Activities allowed within this Section are prohibited from allowing direct physical contact between members of different households or living units. Tournaments, competitions, or other sporting events, including live audience activities, are also prohibited:
    1. To engage in outdoor activities, recreation, or sports permitted by the State Stay at Home Order as long as the group size does not exceed 12 persons, with strict adherence to Social Distancing and Hygiene Requirements and Face Covering Requirements, and compliance with all relevant State and County Guidelines, including but not limited to the prohibition against tournaments and competitions (see for example https://covid19.ca.gov/pdf/guidance-campgrounds.pdf, https://covid19.ca.gov/stay-home-except-for-essential-needs/#top, and http://sonomaedb.org/Business-Assistance/Coronavirus/Business-Management-Plans).
    2. To participate in an Outdoor Recreation Activity Business, Outdoor Recreational Equipment Rental Business, or guided or chaperoned outdoor recreational activity as long as the group size does not exceed 12 plus staff. All such businesses must operate in compliance with all relevant State and County Guidelines, including but not limited to the prohibition against tournaments and competitions (see for example, https://covid19.ca.gov/pdf/guidance-campgrounds.pdf, https://covid19.ca.gov/stay-home-except-for-essential-needs/#top, and the Recreation and the Outdoor Recreation Activity Business Management Plans at http://sonomaedb.org/Business-Assistance/Coronavirus/Business-Management-Plans) Any equipment issued or rented to individuals to engage in the activity (for example a kayak, bicycle, or surfboard) shall only be used by that individual for the duration of the activity and sanitized after each use per EPA guidance (https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus/guidance-cleaning-and-disinfecting-public-spaces-workplaces-businesses-schools-and-homes) and local and state recreational guidance (http://sonomaedb.org/Business-Assistance/Coronavirus/Business-Management-Plans/).
    3. Indoor swimming pools, saunas, steam rooms and hot tubs shall remain closed. Outdoor pools and splash pads must operate in compliance with applicable State and County Guidelines, https://covid19.ca.gov/pdf/guidance-fitness.pdf, https://covid19.ca.gov/pdf/guidance-campgrounds.pdf, https://covid19.ca.gov/pdf/guidance-hotels-lodging-rentals.pdf.
    4. Childcare, summer camp programs, and other educational or recreational institutions or programs providing care or supervision for children, in stable groups of 12 children or less, may participate in activities, recreation, or sports permitted in this Section, but groups shall not commingle with other groups. For clarity, this subsection does not allow recreation or sports activities within groups that require person-to-person physical contact between members of different households or living units.
  17. Businesses. All businesses in the County that are allowed to operate under the State Stay at Home Order (https://covid19.ca.gov/), amendments, designations, directives, Stay Home Q&As (https://covid19.ca.gov/stay-home-except-for-essential-needs/) and sector specific guidance (Appendix C) on the effective date above, Section 6, are considered Allowed Businesses and may operate in the County. High risk businesses, as defined in Section 18, may operate only to maintain Minimum Basic Operations without direct (non-virtual) public contact. All businesses operating in the County shall comply with Social Distancing and Hygiene Requirements, Face Coverings Requirements, and sector specific guidance, as defined in Section 23 as may be amended from time to time. All businesses operating in the County shall prepare, post, and implement a Social Distancing Protocol & COVID-19 Site-Specific Protection Plan (Appendix A) at each of their facilities at which they are maintaining operations, as specified in this Section.
    1. Definition. A “business” includes any for-profit, non-profit, faith based organization, or educational entity, whether a corporate entity, organization, partnership or sole proprietorship, and regardless of the nature of the service, the function it performs, or its corporate or entity structure.
    2. Minimum Basic Operations. “Minimum Basic Operations” include the following activities when they cannot be performed remotely, provided that there are only the minimum number of persons on-site and persons comply with Social Distancing and Hygiene Requirements as defined this Section:
      1. The minimum necessary activities to maintain and protect the value of the business’s inventory and facilities; ensure security, safety, and sanitation; process payroll and employee benefits; and related functions.
      2. The minimum necessary activities to facilitate owners, personnel, and contractors of the business being able to continue to work remotely from their residences, and to ensure that the business can deliver its service remotely.
    3. Social Distancing Protocol & COVID-19 Site-Specific Protection Plan. All businesses must prepare and post a “Social Distancing Protocol & COVID-19 Site-Specific Protection Plan” for each of their facilities in the County frequented by the public or employees. The Social Distancing Protocol & COVID-19 Site-Specific Protection Plan must be substantially in the form attached to this Order as Appendix A. The Social Distancing Protocol & COVID-19 Site-Specific Protection Plan must be posted at or near the entrance of the relevant facility, and shall be easily viewable by the public and employees. A copy of the Social Distancing Protocol & COVID-19 Site-Specific Protection Plan must also be provided to each employee performing work at the facility and to any authority enforcing this Order upon demand. The Social Distancing Protocol & COVID-19 Site-Specific Protection Plan must explain how the business is achieving the following, as applicable:
      1. Limiting the number of people who can enter into the facility at any one time to ensure that people in the facility can easily maintain a minimum six-foot distance from one another at all times, except as required to complete the Allowed Business activity;
      2. Where lines may form at a facility, marking six-foot increments at a minimum, establishing where individuals should stand to maintain adequate social distancing;
      3. Providing hand sanitizer, soap and water, or effective disinfectant at or near the entrance of the facility and in other appropriate areas for use by the public and employees, and in locations where there is high-frequency employee interaction with members of the public (e.g. cashiers);
      4. Providing for contactless payment systems or, if not feasible to do so, the providing for disinfecting all payment portals, pens, and styluses after each use;
      5. Regularly disinfecting other high-touch surfaces;
      6. Posting a sign at the entrance of the facility informing all employees and customers that they should: avoid entering the facility if they have a cough or fever; maintain a minimum six-foot distance from one another; sneeze and cough into one’s elbow; not shake hands or engage in any unnecessary physical contact; and
      7. Any additional social distancing measures being implemented (see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidance at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business- response.html ).
  18. Higher Risk Activities. The Governor’s Roadmap to Recovery does not currently allow the following sectors, businesses, establishments, or activities to operate at this time, except to the limited extent as may be permitted under this Order. No expansion or allowance of these activities shall take place until both the State and the Health Officer determines that local conditions and disease epidemiology indicate it is prudent to allow such facilities to reopen:
    1. Playgrounds and group picnic areas (individual and household use of picnic tables may be allowed on a facility by facility basis).
    2. Ice rinks, roller rinks, and indoor playgrounds such as bounce centers, ball pits and laser tag.
    3. Public events and gatherings, like live audience sports
    4. Convention centers
    5. Live theater.
    6. Live audience sports.
    7. Saunas and steam rooms.
    8. Nightclubs.
    9. Concert venues.
    10. Festivals.
    11. Theme parks.
    12. Higher education (in person).
    13. Any other activity or facility prohibited by the State.
  19. Gatherings. All public and private gatherings of any number of people occurring outside a single household or living unit are prohibited, except as allowed by this Order or by the State Orders and Guidance. Indoor gatherings, other than by household unit, are prohibited except as allowed by State or Local Orders e.g., restaurant dining, religious services, and childcare. Indoor gatherings are disfavored because of the increased risk of virus transmission. Outdoor gatherings are allowed to the extent provided in the Activity Section 16 above.
    All gatherings permitted in this Order shall comply Social Distancing and Hygiene Requirements, Face Covering Requirements, and with CDC Considerations for Events and Gatherings (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/large-events/considerations-for-events-gatherings.html). Nothing in this Order prohibits members of a single household or living unit from engaging in Travel or Activities together.
  20. Travel. It is recommended that individuals should avoid travelling long distances for vacations or pleasure as much as possible. This is to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Individual shall not travel if they are sick, with someone who is sick, or if someone in their household or living unit had coronavirus in the last two weeks.
  21. Social Distancing and Hygiene Requirements.
    1. All individuals must strictly comply with “Social Distancing and Hygiene Requirements” which means:
      1. Maintaining at least six-foot social distancing from individuals who are not part of the same household or living unit;
      2. Frequently washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or using hand sanitizer that is recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as effective in combatting COVID-19;
      3. Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or fabric or, if not possible, into the sleeve or elbow (but not into hands);
      4. Wearing a Face Covering when out in public, consistent with the Face Coverings Requirements;
      5. Avoiding all social interaction outside the household when sick with a fever, cough, or other COVID-19 symptoms;
      6. Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces daily. If surfaces are dirty, clean them using detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection;
      7. Avoiding touching eyes, nose or mouth; and
      8. If you smoke or vape, consider quitting. Smoking and vaping causes harm to the lungs (https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/DCDIC/CTCB/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx).
    2. Exceptions. Individuals are exempted from complying with Social Distancing and Hygiene Requirements only to the limited extent necessary to provide care (including childcare, adult or senior care, care to individuals with special needs, and patient care); as necessary to carry out the work of Allowed Businesses, Essential Governmental Functions, or provide for Minimum Basic Operations; or as otherwise expressly provided in this Order.
  22. Face Coverings Requirements. It is required that all people wear Face Coverings before they enter any indoor business, indoor public common areas, or whenever the person is unable to maintain a six-foot distance at all times from a person of a different household or living unit and as set forth in Appendix B of this Order, whether indoors or outdoors. This requirement includes certain exceptions:
    1. While inside their own residence;
    2. While inside or driving alone in a vehicle, or with members of the same household or living unit, unless the windows in the vehicle are lowered to interact with first responders, food service workers, or other persons who are not members of their household or living unit.
    3. While engaging in outdoor activity, recreation, or sports, but only if Social Distancing and Hygiene Requirements are met at all times;
    4. While eating or drinking;
    5. If a Face Covering may pose a risk to the person wearing the mask for health-or safety related reasons; a Face Covering should also not be used by anyone who has a respiratory condition or trouble breathing, or who is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the Face Covering without assistance.
    6. If a Face Covering would create a risk to the person related to their work as determined by local, state, or federal regulators or workplace safety guidelines.
    7. Face Covering Requirements do not apply to children aged two years or less because of the risk of suffocation; and are only recommended, but not ordered, for any child aged twelve years or less.
  23. State Sector Guidance and Local Business Management Plans. The Health Officer, in consultation with the Economic Development Board and industry representatives, has and will continue to develop and establish sector-specific social distancing and health/safety standards and business management plans All businesses, including public agencies, operating in the County shall comply with local and State orders and guidance, including the Social Distancing and Hygiene Requirements, Face Coverings Requirements, and Social Distancing Protocol & COVID-19 Site-Specific Protection Plan contained within this Order. Businesses must review all relevant State guidance and checklists (Appendix C), and local business management plans, to prepare a Social Distancing Protocol & COVID-19 Site-Specific Protection Plan, attached as Appendix A to this Order. Where there is a conflict between the local and State orders and guidance, then the more restrictive provisions applies and controls in this County. For clarity, all recommended, encouraged, or suggested language in State guidance or checklists shall be required for businesses under this Order. All businesses shall prepare, post, and implement their Social Distancing Protocol & COVID-19 Site-Specific Protection Plan at all facilities operating in the County, including posting any relevant state guidance or local business management plans.

    Employers are also required to ensure that all employees perform a self-check for COVID-19 symptoms and temperature check before reporting to their work site or other assignment away from their residence. Employers are strongly encouraged to use the free SoCo COVID-19 Check tool available as a mobile App and on the SoCo Emergency website. The tool provides a seamless process for businesses to implement employee screening procedures and automatically provides the County with aggregate data that will assist the County’s epidemiologists in monitoring and preventing transmission of COVID-19.

    County Orders and Guidance are located here:

    State Orders and Guidance are located here:

    SoCo COVID-19 Check is located here:

  24. Definitions. To the extent the Sheriff or any chief of police has any questions regarding the definitions under this Order, the Health Officer hereby delegates authority to the Office of the County Counsel to answer such questions.
  25. People at high risk. People at high risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19 and people who are sick are strongly encouraged to stay in their residence to the extent possible. These people should make a reasonable effort to avoid leaving home by utilizing delivery services, telecommunications, or other means available. Nothing prevents a person at high risk of severe illness from leaving home for the reasons otherwise allowed under this Order, or for other permissible conduct. For purposes of this Order, “people at high risk of severe illness” from COVID-19 are people who meet the CDC definition of higher risk (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/index.html ). Based upon available information to date, those at high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19 include:
    1. People aged 65 years and older.
    2. People who live in a nursing home or long-term care facility.
    3. Other high-risk conditions could include:
      1. People with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma.
      2. People who have serious heart conditions.
      3. People who are immunocompromised including cancer treatment.
      4. People of any age with severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] >40) or certain underlying medical conditions, particularly if not well controlled, such as those with diabetes, renal failure, or liver disease might also be at risk.

    Please note, many conditions can cause a person to be immunocompromised, including cancer treatment, bone marrow or organ transplantation, immune deficiencies, poorly controlled HIV or AIDS, and prolonged use of corticosteroids and other immune weakening medications.

  26. Community Services. Government agencies and other entities operating shelters and other facilities that house or provide meals or other necessities of life for individuals experiencing homelessness must take appropriate steps to help ensure compliance with Social Distancing and Hygiene Requirements, including adequate provision of hand sanitizer. Also, individuals experiencing homelessness who are unsheltered should abide by 12 foot by 12 foot distancing for the placement of tents/sleeping quarters, and government agencies should provide restroom and hand washing facilities for such individuals as set forth in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Interim Guidance Responding to Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) Among People Experiencing Unsheltered Homelessness (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/unsheltered-homelessness.html).
  27. Enforcement. Pursuant to Government Code sections 26602 and 41601 and Health and Safety Code section 101029, the Health Officer requests that the Sheriff and all chiefs of police in the County ensure compliance with and enforce this Order. The Sheriff, chiefs of police, County Counsel, District Attorney, and city attorneys are empowered to ensure compliance with and enforce this Order within their jurisdictions. Questions of interpretation of the Order shall remain as set forth in Section 24 above. The violation of any provision of this Order constitutes an imminent threat and menace to public health, constitutes a public nuisance, and is punishable by fine, imprisonment, or both.
  28. Justification. The Health Officer has determined that this Order, and its Prior Shelter Orders, were and are necessary because cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed throughout the County. COVID-19 is highly contagious and has a propensity to spread in various ways including, but not limited to, by attaching to surfaces or remaining in the air, resulting in physical damage and/or physical loss.
  29. Public Distribution. Copies of this Order 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 Order.
  30. Severability. If any provision of this Order to the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held to be invalid, the reminder of the Order, 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 Order are severable.

IT IS SO ORDERED:

Dr. Sundari R. Mase, MD, MPH
Health Officer of the County of Sonoma