New Health Order Aligns County with State; Opens More Business Sectors

A new health order, slated to go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Friday, June 19, relaxes more restrictions and allows more businesses and activities to resume.

“This latest easing of restrictions in our Shelter in Place Health Order aligns us with the State, and we’re opening as much as its Roadmap to Recovery currently allows,” said Dr. Sundari Mase, Sonoma County Health Officer.

“This latest health order shouldn’t be seen as a return to normal,” she added. “The virus is not contained and there’s still a danger to the community by its continued transmission.”

State orders now allow counties to expand reopening into certain sectors. Businesses that are able to reopen – with certain restrictions and mitigation measures in place – include campgrounds, gyms, fitness centers, movie theaters, nail salons, tattoo parlors, museums and galleries, and certain family entertainment businesses like mini golf.

Hotels, short-term rentals and campgrounds can now open to recreational travel, while following proper guidelines to help reduce the likelihood of spreading the virus. While traveling long distances for leisure is discouraged in the health order, this shift represents how Sonoma County is adapting to living with COVID-19 for the foreseeable future. All visitors will be required to follow the rules that reduce the risk of transmitting the virus, including social distancing and wearing a mask in public places where social distancing is impossible.

This next phase focuses on requirements for social distancing, hygiene and face coverings, symptom checks, as well as compliance with the State’s sector specific guidance. These activity-specific guidances are in place to protect employees, customers and the public. Businesses can view the industry-specific requirements and other helpful resources on www.SoCoLaunch.org.

All businesses must ensure that employees check themselves for symptoms, including temperature, before reporting to work sites. The SoCo COVID-19 Check App is a convenient tool for employees and businesses, and it shares limited, aggregate data with the County to help policy makers see the prevalence of Coronavirus symptoms in our community. The App or alternative web platform is not required.

It is crucial in this next phase that residents, business owners and employees continue to take control of their role in stopping the spread of the virus, and wear facial coverings, social distance, and follow industry specific requirements.

“Our community has been remarkably resilient during this pandemic, showing that our Sonoma Strong attitude is alive and well,” said Susan Gorin, Chair of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. “Our collective compliance with health orders has been successful in flattening the curve and interrupting transmission of the virus. This next phase is supported by our local epidemiological data, and is a good next step to healing our economy.”

To view the Health Order and a list of open and closed industries, visit www.SoCoEmergency.org. Businesses that remain closed are higher risk activities like night clubs, saunas, and ball pits. These activities are not currently allowed in California, and are part of the State’s Stage 4 Roadmap to Recovery.

Residents may visit SoCoEmergency for more information, or 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.