Contra Costa County To Allow Car-Based Gatherings

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — Contra Costa County will allow outdoor, car-based gatherings beginning May 19.

All participants must remain in their cars, and passengers in each car must be from the same household and wearing masks if windows are rolled down, the county announced Friday in a news release. Gatherings can last no longer than three hours. Motorcycles are not permitted to partake in gatherings; vehicles must be enclosed.

The new order gives options to religious groups and schools during graduation season, the county said. People may use on-site bathrooms and transfer items such as diplomas, but food/concessions sales are not allowed.

"We must remain cautious, but the time has come for some controlled community gatherings," said Contra Costa Board of Supervisors Chair Candace Andersen in the news release.

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Gatherings must have a designated host and the property owner must give permission for the gathering to take place, the county said. Contra Costa County said it will require a written plan to account for safety requirements such as social distancing, and security must be provided for gatherings larger than 10 cars for reasons related to traffic and safety.

"We are carefully tracking data related to infections and hospitalization to determine when and how to gradually ease social restrictions in the health orders," said Contra Costa County Health Officer Chris Farnitano in the release.

On Thursday the county announced people displaying symptoms associated with the new coronavirus and people who have tested positive must isolate for 10 days — up from 7 days — in accordance with new guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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