Listen To Stay-Home, Social-Distance Mandates: SD County Sheriff

SAN DIEGO, CA — San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore urged residents on Monday to adhere to state and local stay-at-home and social-distancing mandates in an effort to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.

"It is imperative we all comply with these orders," Gore said in a statement. "They were not created to follow when convenient. Not following these orders puts everyone's lives at risk."

Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a statewide directive that Californians stay at home except to obtain essential goods and services. The order is in place until further notice.

"This is not a permanent state — this is a moment in time," Newsom said. "We will meet this moment together, and we will look back at these kinds of decisions as pivotal decisions."

New local public health orders also went into effect last week in the county, including a ban on gatherings of 10 or more people, the closure of gyms and fitness centers, and a restriction on childcare to groups of 10 children and a single supervisor.

Violations of the rules constitute misdemeanors potentially punishable by fines up to $1,000, six months in jail or both, Gore said.

"While law enforcement has been given the tools to enforce these orders, we hope that citizens will cooperate and self-regulate," he said.

"We thank the public for their cooperation. The more people cooperate, the shorter these public health measures will be in place."

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Cities within the jurisdiction of the Sheriff's Department have the authority to close public areas as needed to protect public health, Gore added.

"We understand this is difficult for many San Diegans, who pride themselves on an outdoor lifestyle," he said. "Nonetheless, it is critical we all cooperate to stop the spread of COVID-19."

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• California Issues 'Stay-At-Home Order': Coronavirus

Patch editor Kristina Houck and City News Service contributed to this report.