Alameda County Health Officer Updates Shelter-In-Place Restrictions

Press release from the City of Dublin:

June 5, 2020

In two new orders issued today by Alameda County Health Officer Dr. Erica Pan, shelter-in-place restrictions are slightly relaxed, while face covering rules have been expanded.

Effective Monday, June 8, the Shelter-in-Place Order will allow for:

• Small gatherings of individuals from different households to take place in outdoor settings, subject to certain conditions;
• Childcare workers to provide care to all children, not just children of essential workers; youth extracurricular activities may resume under certain conditions;
• Educational institutions to resume career internship and pathways programs;
• Libraries to open for curbside pickup of books and other media;
• Certain businesses providing services with limited person-to-person contact, including appliance repair and pet grooming services, to resume operations.

Small outdoor gatherings are also permitted for people belonging to the same Social Bubble (a group of 12 or fewer people from different households):

• Participation is restricted to only one Social Bubble at a time;
• The Social Bubble group should be maintained for three weeks;
• Members of a Social Bubble are encouraged to comply with Social Distancing Requirements and wear face coverings when feasible.

The Order also states that "residents can expect that outdoor museums, outdoor restaurant dining, religious services, and additional outdoor activities, such as outdoor fitness classes, will resume in phases in upcoming relaxations to the Shelter-in-Place restrictions."

A second Order issued today from Dr. Pan broadens the current Face Covering Order. The new Order goes into effect on Monday, June 8, and says that "face coverings must be worn at all times by all members of the public, including outdoors while engaged in physical activities - walking, running, biking, etc. - and within 30 feet of people outside their household." However, a person is not required to wear a face covering during the entire duration of their activity, but should carry a face covering for easy access should they come within 30 feet of another individual. Children under the age of 12 are not required to wear a face covering, and children two years old or younger should not wear a face covering.

Alameda County Public Health Department has also issued a plan for the further expansion of activities:

Alameda County COVID-19 Reopening Plan

This press release was produced by the City of Dublin. The views expressed here are the author’s own.