Healdsburg Coronavirus Update (March 18)

From the City of Healdsburg:

March 18, 2020

Here is more information about Sonoma County’s "shelter-in-place" Order. The intent of this Order is to ensure that people remain in their residences and minimize social interactions outside of their immediate family. You may leave your home for reasons specified in the Order; they include ensuring the health and safety of you and your family, engaging in outdoor activity that does not involve close contact with other people, getting services and supplies for you and your family, and performing employment functions that are permissible under the Order.

The full text of the Order can be found at this link: https://socoemergency.org/orde...

Shelter-in-Place FAQs:

Go to this link for answers from the Sonoma County Health Officer to frequently asked questions about how this Order will affect you and your family: https://socoemergency.org/wp-c...Here are a few questions and answers from the FAQs linked above:

Q: When does this Health Order become effective?

A: This Order shall become effective at 12 a.m. on March 18, 2020, and will continue until 11:59 p.m. on April 7, 2020, or until it is extended, rescinded, superseded, or amended in writing by the Health Officer.

Q: What does this Order do?

A: This Order requires that most people stay home starting as soon as possible, but no later than 12 a.m. on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, unless they are engaged in certain “Essential Activities” which are discussed more below. For most people, this means you and those you live with should remain at home. You are allowed to leave your home for specified reasons to make sure you have the necessities of life (discussed more below) such as getting food and medical supplies. You are also allowed to go outside to take care of pets, go on a walk, and just get outside, so long as you do not congregate in a group and maintain at least six feet of distance between you and other people. If you are sick you should self-isolate, including, to the extent you can, from others you live with.

Q: What does it mean to “shelter in place”?

A: The term “shelter in place” means to stay in your home and not leave unless necessary for one of the designated exceptions listed in the Order.

Q: Am I allowed to leave my home while this Order is in effect?

A: The intent of this Order is to ensure that people remain in their residences and minimize social interactions outside of their immediate family unit. You may leave your residence for reasons specified in the Order.

Q: What activities are considered essential?

A: To obtain necessary services or supplies for themselves and their family, household members, and pets, or to deliver those services or supplies to others, such as, by way of example only and without limitation, canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet food and supply, fresh meats, fish, and poultry, and any other household consumer products, and products necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences. To engage in outdoor activity, provided the individuals comply with Social Distancing Requirements, such as walking, hiking, biking, or running. To perform work providing essential products and services at an Essential Business. To care for a family member or pet in another household.

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