Answers to your questions about ‘stay at home’ coronavirus orders in Northern California
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Health officials in Sacramento, Yolo and Bay Area counties this week issued unprecedented “stay at home” or “shelter in place” directives for almost all residents in those counties in an unprecedented effort to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. Gov. Gavin Newsom followed suit Thursday night, placing over 40 million people under the restrictions.
The directive is dramatic and sweeping.
Here is a detailed look at what residents and businesses are being asked to do.
WHO ISSUED STAY-AT-HOME ORDERS?
Sacramento and other health chiefs are issuing these rulings, under authority of the state health code. County Health chief Dr. Peter Beilenson issued a directive on Tuesday afternoon for that county, effective immediately. It follows a similar “shelter in place” directive in six Bay Area counties issued on Monday.
On Wednesday, Yolo issued similar orders. Yolo’s will go into place on Thursday.
WHAT ARE THE BASICS?
All residents, regardless of age, are asked to stay at home and only go out for essentials, such as grocery shopping and banking (preferably at ATMs), or to pick up food at restaurants. (We have a list of essential businesses that remain open lower in this report.)
DOES THIS MEAN I CAN’T GO TO WORK?
No. Businesses are allowed to continue operations with “essential” employees reporting to the workplace. But Sacramento County officials are asking employers to send home anyone who is considered a nonessential employee for work that needs to be done at the office. Those persons can work from home.
IS THIS A LEGAL REQUIREMENT?
No, not as of Wednesday. County health chief Beilenson, in consultation with city and county leaders, issued what he calls a “directive,” which is legally a request. The hope is that residents will treat it as a requirement, but it does not have the force of law. Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg put it this way: “A directive is an order by another name, and it’s crucial that we all follow it. This is what we need to do to flatten this curve (virus spread) and prevent our healthcare system from being overwhelmed.”
The rules in Yolo County are different. See below for more.
CAN I BE TICKETED OR ARRESTED FOR DISOBEYING?
Not in Sacramento County, which issued what it calls a directive.
Yolo County officials, however, say they have issued a legal order that does give the police the authority to arrest people who are in violation, similar to San Francisco and other Bay Area counties. Yolo and San Francisco officials, however, have said they are not asking police their to enforce the directive with legal action as of now.
That can change, however. Sacramento County leaders say that if the public has not sufficiently responded to the directive, they have the legal option to turn the directive into an enforceable health and safety order.
In that case, police would be authorized to stop and potentially cite or arrest people for violation of the order.
DOES THIS MEAN WE HAVE TO STAY INSIDE OUR HOUSES?
No. Beilenson said people can go to work if their employer says they are needed at the workplace. People can also go to businesses that are open, and can take a walk or a run and work out, but not in a gym.
WHAT IF SOMEONE IS 65 OR OLDER?
Older people are more susceptible to serious health consequences, including death, from the virus. The directive asks people age 65 and older to self-isolate. Beilenson said they can leave the house to go for walks or exercise alone or with their house partners, but should not be near other people and should not go into any businesses, stores, etc.
ARE THERE ANY EXCEPTIONS?
Yes, there are key exceptions. The guidance “exempts individuals who work in essential services, such as hospital and health care workers, pharmacists, peace officers, firefighters, staff at skilled nursing facilities and residential care facilities for the elderly, and other essential workers.”
What does the order mean for Californians?
The statewide stay-at-home order, which went into effect Thursday evening and is in place until further notice, still allows essential services to remain open, including grocery stores, convenience stores, takeout and delivery restaurants, pharmacies, gas stations, banks and laundry services, the state’s newly established COVID-19 website explains.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security identifies 16 “critical infrastructure sectors” that must remain active during the COVID-19 crisis, which include communications, energy, dams, emergency services, water and wastewater, transportation, food and agriculture, financial services and health care. California workers in those industries will continue to work or telecommute, the executive order stipulates.
On the other end, all eat-in restaurants, bars, nightclubs, gyms, barbershops, nonessential retail stores, movie theaters and other entertainment venues must close, the order says, and public gatherings of any size must be canceled or postponed.
Newsom said he hopes not to have to enforce the order, instead encouraging Californians to influence one another to do the right thing.
“I don’t believe the people of California need to be told through law enforcement to home isolate, protect themselves,” he said.
WHAT BUSINESSES ARE ALLOWED TO REMAIN OPEN?
Businesses deemed “essential” for the near-term ability of society to function:
▪ Health care operation and essential infrastructure
▪ Grocery stores, certified farmers markets, supermarkets, food banks, convenience stores, and other retail establishments for canned food, dry goods, fruits and vegetables, meat, fish, poultry
▪ Pet supply stores
▪ Hardware stores, and stores that sell safety, sanitation, and basic home operation items
▪ Businesses that provide food, shelter and social services for economically disadvantaged people
▪ News media
▪ Gas stations, auto supply stores, auto repair and related services
▪ Plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other safety and sanitation occupations
▪ Mailing, shipping businesses
▪ Educational institutions, mainly for distance-based learning (most schools in the county, however, have closed for now)
▪ Laundromats, dry cleaners
▪ Restaurants, but only for pick-up or delivery, not for table service
▪ Businesses supply and support stores and operations
▪ Airlines, taxis, for essential travel
▪ Home-based caregivers
▪ Professional services such as accountants
▪ Childcare facilities, with groups of 12 children or fewer. The same children must be in the same group each day.
WHAT BUSINESSES ARE EXPRESSLY CLOSED?
Any formal gatherings. Bars, wineries, brew pubs, restaurants for in-restaurant dining (take out and delivery are allowed). Gyms are to be closed. Same for bingo halls and card rooms.
HOW LONG IS THE DIRECTIVE IN EFFECT?
The Sacramento County directive does not have an end date, although it is similar to directives in the Bay Area which have tentative April 7 end dates. Other directives for schools or other jurisdictions have been set to expire at the end of March or in early to mid-April. But they carry the caveat that they might be extended or shortened, as need be.
Yolo County’s directive will last at least through April 7.
WHAT IS THE SOCIAL DISTANCING RULE?
When with others, people should keep a 6-foot distance. That means no shaking hands. People should wash hands frequently, using soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. Cover sneezes in the elbow or sleeve, not with the hand.
Businesses and individuals should regularly clean “high-touch” surfaces, such as door knobs.
IF YOU FEEL SICK?
Many illnesses, including the coronavirus in some instances, do not need doctor’s care. Sick people should quarantine themselves in their homes until their cough, fever, and respiratory issues are gone for at least three full days, or for seven days from when the symptoms first show, whichever is the longer period.
Anyone who lives with someone who tests positive for COVID-19 should stay home for 14 days.
If the illness is severe, call your healthcare provider or urgent care. Do not go directly to an urgent care or emergency room without calling them first. That will allow them to prepare for you.
Do not call 911 or go to an emergency center unless you are extremely sick or feel your life is in imminent danger.
WHY NOT GO TO THE DOCTOR JUST TO BE SURE?
The biggest concern right now is that healthcare systems could be overwhelmed and unable to care for the sickest coronavirus patients. For that reason, people with lesser symptoms should treat themselves as if they have the flu or a cold. An estimated 80 percent of coronavirus sufferers will have only minor symptoms or no symptoms at all.
SHOULD I WEAR A FACE MASK WHEN I GO OUT?
Not unless you are sick. There is a limited supply of face masks. The use of face masks is crucial for health care workers and people who are taking care of someone who has the virus.
CAN I HAVE FRIENDS OVER TO MY HOUSE?
The directive does not address the question of visitors. County health chief Beilenson, speaking to The Bee, said he believes people can have some friends over to their homes, but not a group of people. Only visit others if you and they are healthy. Maintain a 6-foot distance and wash hands frequently.
WHAT SHOULD I DO FOR MY OLDER OR SICK RELATIVES AND NEIGHBORS?
Maintain contact by phone, email, teleconferencing, Facebook, etc. Set up a system of family and friends to provide support, including delivering essentials to homebound and sick people.
This story was originally published March 18, 2020 at 1:04 PM.