FAQ's Related To San Mateo County Health’s Shelter-In-Place Order

Press release from the City of Millbrae:

March 20, 2020

Since releasing the Shelter-in-Place Order this week, San Mateo County Health has received numerous calls and emails asking what people can and cannot do. Here are five questions that have been frequently asked by local residents and responses from the County:

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

The intent of this Order is to ensure that people remain in their residences and minimize social interactions outside of their immediate family unit. However, you may leave your residence for reasons specified in the Order. These reasons include ensuring the health and safety of yourself and your family, engaging in outdoor activity that does not involve close contact with other people, obtaining services and supplies for yourself and your family, and to perform employment functions that are permissible under the Order.

What are the employment functions that are permissible under the Order?

The Order identifies an extensive list of “essential businesses.” The employees of these businesses may continue to work outside of their residences so that the businesses may continue to offer their goods and services. Employees of non-essential businesses may report to work to maintain what the Order defines as “minimum basic operations,” which are the operations necessary to maintain the value of the business’s inventory and to provide for the business’s security. Additionally, government employees who are designated as essential by their government employer may continue to work outside their residence. Any employees who work outside their residence should maintain social distancing of six feet from any other person whenever possible.

Can grocery stores, farmers markets, and other food retailers remain open?

Yes. Grocery stores, certified farmers’ markets, farm and produce stands, supermarkets, food banks, convenience stores, and similar food retail establishments are encouraged to remain open to provide food and pet supplies to the public. When visiting these establishments, please help retailers maintain six feet minimum distance between patrons, including by providing ample space while shopping and waiting in line.

Should I stock up on food, necessities like toilet paper, and on medicines?

No. You will continue to be able to purchase these items whenever you need them, as stores selling necessary items like grocery stores, pharmacies, and hardware stores will remain open. Please continue to buy normal quantities of these items on the same schedule you normally do.

Can I still order the things I need online and have them delivered to my residence?

Yes, the Order identifies businesses that deliver goods or services directly to residences as “essential businesses” that may continue to operate.

To read all of San Mateo County Health’s frequently asked questions and their answers, please visit https://www.smchealth.org/coronavirus.

To read a complete version of the San Mateo County Health’s official order, please visit https://www.smcgov.org/sites/smcgov.org/files/HO%20Order%20Shelter%20in%20Place%2020200316.pdf.

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