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County Administrator's Office

For Immediate Release

State Releases Guidance for Counties with Variance to Move Stage Three at Their Own Discretion

Santa Rosa,CA | June 05, 2020

Today the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released guidance for counties with variance, which includes Sonoma County, to go to Stage Three and allow further sectors to operate during the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). 

This new guidance allows variance counties to move to Stage Three as soon as Friday June 12, 2020. 

What this Means for Sonoma County 

Like all State variance guidance, the Board of Supervisors, the County Health Officer, and Economic Development Board will work together to develop appropriate mitigation measures for new sectors to support Reopening efforts on June 22nd, provided local epidemiology indicators remain stable. 

The Board of Supervisors and the Health Officer will discuss moving into Stage Three Reopening at the upcoming Board of Supervisor’s meeting on June 9th

Stage Three will Allow Counties with Variance to Reopen the Following: 

  • Campgrounds, RV Parks, and Outdoor Recreation
  • Hotels 
  • Non-spectator Professional sports 
  • Cardrooms, Satellite Wagering Facilities and Racetracks 
  • Museums, Galleries, Zoos and Aquariums
  • Fitness Facilities
  • Music, Film and Television Production
  • Restaurants, Bars and Wineries
  • Family Entertainment 

Additionally, counties who reopen Stage Three activities must also report information to CDPH via a Web-based County Monitoring List that will have three components: 

  1. Data for every county on key indicators (from variance criteria). The website will show either that a county is OK on an indicator by a check or indicate a concern.
  2. It will list counties that are on an Active Monitoring/Support Status. CDPH will work with counties and attempt to support them to control transmission in identified problem areas and ensure necessary medical support exists.
  3. If conditions do not improve from active monitoring, the State will work with the County to introduce reopening modifications. 

Future guidance will include youth sports, weddings and nail salons. 

For more information about the Health Order, essential businesses, available County services, or updates regarding the public health emergency, please visit www.SoCoEmergency.org. Residents may also call 2-1-1 or text their zip code to 898-211 in order to text with a 2-1-1 operator. Additional updates are available on County of Sonoma (@countyofsonoma) social media. 

More information regarding Stage Three from CDPH

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