County Sets Three Week Window; Essential Services Restricted, But Not Closed
By Michael Oppenheimer
On Monday afternoon, in response to new directives from the CDC and California Governor Gavin Newsom, the Santa Cruz County Health Department issued a “Shelter in Place” order for the county, which goes into effect on St. Patrick’s Day and remains in effect through Tuesday, April 7.
The order was announced after six Bay Area counties, including San Francisco and Santa Clara, issued their own “Shelter in Place” directives.
County residents are asked to stay in their homes as much as possible, although such things as going outside to exercise, shop for food or medical visits are allowed, with restrictions.
“These common-sense, temporary measures are based on the best medical practices and are intended to help slow the spread of communicable diseases,” said County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel in the press release. “They are not intended to alarm, and I encourage everyone to keep their spirits up while adjusting their routines to help protect the health and welfare of all Santa Cruz County residents.”
As of now, nine people in the county have tested positive for COVID-19, and many businesses and schools have already closed to the public. The new order will completely shut down non-essential businesses, such as entertainment venues, but will only restrict operations in essential services, such as supermarkets, doctors offices, and even news organizations.
It also allows restaurants to operate carry out/drive through or delivery services, but not dine-in service, and allow schools that have been providing carry-away meals to their students and families to continue to do so.
The main purpose of the order is to continue the “social distancing” policies already in place. Anyone who needs to go to the market, the doctors, to work, or any other public place are asked to maintain their distance from other people you don’t interact with regularly, and to stay home as much as possible.
Click here for the full Shelter in Place order
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Here is the full press release from the Santa Cruz County Health Department:
Health Officer Issues Order to Protect Public Health and Safety
In union with other Bay Area counties and to conform with new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Gov. Gavin Newsom, Santa Cruz County Health Officer Dr. Gail Newel has issued an order to preserve health care capacity and protect the community from the impacts of novel coronavirus, or COVID-19.
Effective 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, and continuing until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, residents are hereby ordered to shelter in place and limit public activities to essential services, which are listed below. The order is intended to help restrict the spread of COVID-19 in the community.
Dr. Gail Newel
“These common-sense, temporary measures are based the best medical practices and are intended to help slow the spread of communicable diseases,” Dr.Newel said. “They are not intended to alarm, and I encourage everyone to keep their spirits up while adjusting their routines to help protect the health and welfare of all Santa Cruz County residents.”
COVID-19 is a new virus impacting several nations including the U.S. There are 1,629 confirmed cases in the U.S., including 392 in California and nine in Santa Cruz County. While the symptoms of cough, fever and respiratory difficulties are minor in most patients including children, the disease can be fatal in certain vulnerable populations.
“These extraordinary measures are necessary to meet the challenge in front of us,” County Administrative Office Carlos Palacios said. “We will come together as a community. I urge everyone to follow these measures closely.”
The Health Officer’s order defines essential services and activities to include exceptions necessary to limit negative public health impact. They include law and safety operations, essential government services, health care operations, pharmacies, child care facilities, food production including farming, food businesses including groceries and other food retailers, telecommunications, restaurants operating at reduced capacity, shelter including hotels, social services, establishments and agencies serving economically disadvantaged populations, gas stations, banks, laundry businesses and safety and sanitation businesses. A full list is included in the order.
Furthermore, the County and its partner agencies are quickly mobilizing to develop contingency plans to help protect low-income and other vulnerable populations and help assure essential needs are met.
On Sunday, the Centers for Disease Control issued guidance recommending cancellation of gatherings of more than 50 persons through May 10, 2020. Concurrently, California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a directive recommending isolation for elderly adults aged 65 and older, the closure of non-essential commercial establishments and reduced capacity at restaurants.
While county residents must comply with this order, they are also encouraged to support each other by checking on vulnerable neighbors and making sure their needs are met, supporting families whose children are out of school and supporting local businesses where possible including ordering takeout food.
For more information on COVID-19, visit www.santacruzhealth.org/coronavirus, call 211 or text “COVID19” to 211211.