People Pack Coastal Marin Despite Shelter-In-Place Order

MARIN COUNTY, CA — Despite a statewide order to shelter in place, people from across the Bay Area packed the coastal communities of Marin County on Saturday.

"Marin is usually a place for recreation, but now is not the time," said Dr. Lisa Santora, Marin's deputy public health officer. "Congregating in these popular areas makes the shelter-in-place order less effective and continues to put all of our counties at risk of COVID-19 spread."

On Tuesday, a shelter-in-place order went into effect in Marin along with six other Bay Area jurisdictions in an attempt to slow the spread of the new coronavirus. By Thursday, Gov. Gavin Newsom placed all Californians under a stay-at-home directive.

Despite the order, an influx of people in the county's coastal communities on Saturday created traffic congestion, which interferes with first responders' ability to handle emergencies, according to the Marin County Sheriff's Office. In addition, state and county park parking lots and bathrooms are closed due to the shelter-in-place order, adding to further congestion and creating problems with sanitation.

The crowds prompted county officials to reiterate the importance of staying local and practicing social distancing.

"We're all having to make hard choices and sacrifices – for the time being – as we all shelter at home," Santora said. "We're asking people not to travel distances to access our beaches. Let's recreate and get fresh air closer to home."

As of Friday evening, there are 38 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the county. Four people have been hospitalized and there have been no deaths.