The state Department of Public Health notified the County of Sonoma today, July 10, that if the region’s coronavirus data do not improve over the next 72 hours, the County will be subject to new restrictions as part of statewide actions designed to slow the spread of coronavirus.
The restrictions would start as soon as Monday, July 13, and would be in place until the state takes further action, which would be no earlier than July 22, 2020
Sonoma County joins 29 other counties in the state, including Marin and Napa counties, in being added to the state monitoring list due to sharp increases in new coronavirus infections since early June.
Sonoma County’s rate of infections per 100,000 residents has increased five-fold from 20 in early June to more than 100 over the past several days, Dr. Sundari Mase, the county’s Public Health Officer, told the Board of Supervisors on Thursday.
Similar to action taken with other counties, the state Public Health Officer is expected to issue a health order for Sonoma County that would restrict indoor business operations to discourage large indoor gatherings outside of households.
Potential State Health Order restrictions
The following business types would not allowed to operate indoor activities:
- Restaurants
- Wineries/tasting rooms
- Bars, clubs, breweries, brewpubs and distilleries
- Movie theaters
- Family entertainment centers (for example: bowling alleys and arcades)
- Zoos and museums
- Card rooms
If the State restricts activities, this information is important for impacted businesses:
- Outdoor dining and take-out would still be permitted.
- Wineries and tasting rooms would likely be able to operate outdoors, and the serving of food would not be a requirement.
- Bars, clubs, breweries, brewpubs, and distilleries would be required to halt all indoor service. Alcohol may be served outdoors only in the same transaction of a meal.
“Each one of us is responsible for slowing the spread of coronavirus and protecting our most vulnerable residents,” said Dr. Mase. “We can all do our part by continuing to wear face coverings, keeping our distance from others, and staying home when sick and not attending social gatherings.”
Sonoma County health officials remind all residents there is still a local and statewide health order in effect, and social gatherings are known places where COVID-19 is spread. For more information on how to keep yourself and your family healthy, visit www.socoemergency.org/novel-coronavirus.
A description of the County’s metrics being monitored by the California Department of Public Health can be found on the Internet at:
www.oesnews.com/state-officials-announce-latest-covid-19-facts-105/.
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