On March 17, 2020, Mendocino County’s Public Health Officer issued a Health Order requiring all residents to stay home except for essential needs.

On March 19, 2020, California Governor Newsom issued an immediate Executive Order, requiring all Californians to shelter in their place of residence, except as necessary to maintain or access critical systems and services. Today, March 24, 2020, the County Health Officer revised Mendocino County’s order to align with California’s Order. This Order goes into effect today, March 24, 2020, at 10:00 p.m. and will be in place until further notice. The major changes in the Order includes: stricter list of essential business to align with the State order, closure of all parks within Mendocino County and the order will be in place until rescinded. We urge all residents to closely follow the restrictions in both the County and State Health Orders.

This revision is especially important, as the County Health Officer Dr. Noemi Doohan has confirmed a second case of COVID-19 in our community.

Regarding the new COVID-19 case, Dr. Doohan stated, “This case is related to high risk travel and it does not appear to indicate community spread. This person is on home isolation and does not pose a risk to the public and will be actively monitored by public health officials along with their primary healthcare provider. The clinic where this case was identified used proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and handled this case in an exemplary manner that protected their healthcare workers, staff and patients from exposure. The Health Officer was informed of this case this morning. We will continue to release announcements of new cases promptly, within hours, when possible.”

This Order is to ensure that the maximum number of people shelter in their places of residence to the maximum extent possible, in order to slow the spread of COVID-19. The Order directs all residents to remain at their place of residence, except to conduct Essential Activities, Essential Business, and Essential Government Functions (defined in the Order).

This Public Health Order limits activity, travel and business functions to only the most basic and essential needs, and prohibits transient lodging for non-essential purposes. To the extent that individuals must use shared or outdoor spaces, all must maintain social distancing of at least six feet between themselves and others while outside their residence. Our goal is to protect the public’s health by minimizing the spread of this pandemic.

“We have been working closely with our state partners to identify areas of the local Public Health Order that can be modified to closely mirror Governor Newsom’s statewide Shelter-In-Place Order,” said Dr. Doohan. “We owe our seniors, healthcare workers and other vulnerable populations in our community our strict adherence to this order, for their protection.”

Essential Activities (exemptions to the Shelter-In-Place Order) include:

• Tasks essential to maintain health and safety, such as obtaining medicine or seeing a doctor;
• Getting necessary services or supplies for themselves or their family or household members, such as getting food and supplies, pet food, and getting supplies necessary for staying at home;
• Engaging in outdoor activity, such as walking or running provided that you maintain at least six feet of social distancing and be we within walking/biking distance from home; (Please note that all parks are closed in Mendocino County)
• Performing work providing essential services at an Essential Business or Essential Government function (defined below);
• Caring for a family member in another household;
• Caring for elderly, minors, dependents, persons with disabilities, or other vulnerable persons.

The business community is advised to refer to Section 9 of the Order attached for the revised list of essential business.

Violations of this Order are considered a threat to our county’s health, and adherence is enforceable by law. A coordinated response of all law enforcement agencies in Mendocino County has been implemented. The Health Officer will continue to evaluate this rapidly evolving situation, and may modify this Order if needed.

By adhering to the Order, Mendocino County can help “flatten the curve.” Governor Gavin Newsom in a recent news conference shared the following statement: “Just assume that you potentially are contagious and act accordingly. Socially distance yourself from others. Just use common sense. Be a good neighbor. Be a good citizen.” Our actions can save lives. If all Californians adhere to sheltering-in-place we can help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Remember:

• Keep a distance of at least six feet away from others
• Don’t shake hands
• Wash your hands thoroughly and often
• Don’t touch your face with un-washed hands
• Cover coughs and sneezes (into your elbow and away from others, not hands)
• Regularly clean high-traffic surfaces
• If you are sick stay home unless you need to seek medical care in which case you should call ahead

Attachment: Mendocino County Health Officer Order 2.24.20

For more on COVID-19:

www.mendocinocounty.org

Call Center: (707) 234-6052 or email callcenter@mendocinocounty.org

The call center is open daily from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.