Napa County Sheriff Forms Compliance Task Force: Coronavirus

NAPA COUNTY, CA — A Napa County Compliance Task Force has been formed in order to increase compliance with state and county public health orders calling for residents to stay home, observe social distancing, and for non-essential businesses to temporarily close in an effort to slow the spread of the new coronavirus, or COVID-19.

Robertson said the task force has members from the American Canyon, Napa, St. Helena and Calistoga police departments, and from the Napa County District Attorney's Office. Members of the community are encouraged to report non-compliance by sending an email to covid19compliance@countyofnapa.org.

If it is a non-essential business not in compliance by not closing down or by not observing social distancing regulations of 6 feet between customers — Robertson gave some examples as tasting rooms, nail salons and bars — the business will receive a phone call from the task force.

"Then if they continue to operate, we will send out our people for a visit," Robertson told Patch. "If they still don't comply, they might have their business license suspended."

Robertson said the task force was formed in response to multiple complaints.

"We got a substantial number of calls from people concerned over the weekend," Robertson said.

Some Napa cities have even closed their parks after seeing members of the public not complying with social distancing, Robertson said.

"We are asking people to shelter at home, and to go on that walk or hike or bike ride, because that is so important, but some people are having a difficult time understanding social distancing," Robertson said.

Napa County has at least two confirmed coronavirus cases, both of which were reported over the weekend. One patient is in isolation in St. Helena, while the other is in the city of Napa.

"Napa County has issued legal orders for both patients to isolate themselves and for close contacts to quarantine themselves," Deputy Napa County Executive Officer Molly Rattigan said.

"The General Public should continue to comply with the Shelter-At-Home Order and practice social distancing of at least 6 feet when out seeking essential services or getting fresh air or exercise," Rattigan said.

St. Helena Closes All City Parks

All St. Helena city parks, including tennis and bocce courts, were closed as of Monday to further reduce the transmission of the COVID-19 virus. The only exception is the dog park at Wappo Park, where extra precaution must be taken when touching the dog park gate and social distancing guidelines should be complied with.

"Everyone is required to stay home except to get food, care for a relative or friend, get necessary health care, or go to an essential job," the city of St. Helena said in a news release. "Residents are strongly encouraged to practice 'social distancing of at least six feet' in stores and public spaces and avoid mass gatherings."

American Canyon Park Closures

Also on Monday, the city of American Canyon said in order to meet social-distancing guidelines and slow the spread of coronavirus, residents should not use public restrooms, porta-potties or drinking fountains.

The city of American Canyon closed its skate park and said the following areas of all city of American Canyon parks are closed until further notice: picnic shelters, playground structures, soccer fields, baseball fields, softball fields, basketball courts, tennis courts and bocce ball courts.

Here are updated FAQs about the Napa County Coronavirus Shelter at Home Order: