Placer County directs residents to ‘shelter at their place’ to slow coronavirus spread

Placer County issued a directive for residents to stay at home except to engage in “essential activities” Thursday, amid a growing effort by counties across the region to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The directive, effective at midnight, stops short of being a formal order, which other counties including Sacramento and those in the Bay Area have issued and carry the force of law. It applies to all cities and unincorporated areas within Placer County.

Under the directive, residents are directed to only leave their house to perform essential activities, such as obtaining medication, getting groceries, performing work to provide essential services or products, or engaging in outdoor activities so long as there’s six feet of space between people.

“It is critical that every member of our community heed this directive if we hope to slow the spread of this disease and prevent severe loss of life,” county health officer Aimee Sisson said in a statement.

“This is an extraordinary measure but we are in an extraordinary time, and we must act quickly to meet this moment.”

Additional action “is a possibility in the future,” said county spokeswoman Katie Combs-Prichard.

“As we receive reports of significant noncompliance, we will provide education and direction,” she said in an email.

Placer County has confirmed a total of nine cases of the novel coronavirus, including one death, as of Thursday afternoon. That is an increase of one case from Monday’s official count.

Placer County had previously offered “guidance” for residents to stay home as much as possible to limit the spread of the virus, which has killed 16 people in California so far.

The county has trailed behind other counties in releasing stricter rules for residents to curb the spread of coronavirus in California.

Bay Area counties ordered residents to “shelter in place” on Monday. Yolo County issued a similar order on Wednesday.

Earlier on Thursday morning, Sacramento County issued a formal order for residents to stay home unless going out for essential chores or services.

Sacramento County officials said on Thursday that the intention is not to cite or arrest anyone, but to have the ability to require bars to close and restaurants to only serve take-out of delivery food.

“As we continually learn more about COVID-19, how easily it is transmitted and how dangerous it can be for some portions of our populations at higher risk, it’s become clear how crucial it is for us to limit interpersonal interactions now,” Sisson said in a statement.

The list of “essential activities” listed by Placer County include:

▪ Maintaining the health and safety of oneself and their family or household members (including pets). This includes, but is not limited to, obtaining medical supplies or medication, visiting a health care professional, or obtaining supplies needed to work from home.

▪ Obtaining necessary services or supplies for oneself and their family or household members, or delivering those services or supplies to others. This includes, but is not limited to, obtaining canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet supplies, fresh meats, fish, and poultry, other house hold consumer products, and products necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences.

▪ Engaging in outdoor activity, such as walking, hiking, or running, provided six feet of spacing is maintained between people who are not members of the same household.

▪ Performing work providing essential products and services at an Essential Business or to otherwise carry out activities specifically permitted in this Directive, including Minimum Basic Operations.

▪ Caring for a family member or pet in another household.

Some essential businesses listed by the county include grocery stores, healthcare facilities, agricultural production and processing companies, banks, gas stations and laundromats.

This story was originally published March 19, 2020 at 3:42 PM.