Seven Bay Area jurisdictions will institute a shelter-in-place order Tuesday in an effort to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The order will apply to residents in San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Marin counties and the city of Berkeley through at least April 7.
Non-essential gatherings and travel will be banned as part of the order, which also directs residents to work from home or stop working unless they provide an “essential service” like those in the health care industry
and law enforcement officers.
Essential businesses like grocery stores, pharmacies, veterinary offices, gas stations and banks will also remain open under the order.
The order will affect roughly 6.7 million people in the six counties. Homeless residents are exempt from the order but are advised to seek shelter.
Public health officials around the Bay Area have confirmed at least 258 cases of the virus, including at least three deaths. The Bay Area accounts for more than half of the confirmed cases across the state of California.
“Temporarily changing our routine is absolutely necessary to slow the spread of this pandemic,” said Santa Clara County Public Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody. “The health officers from the largest jurisdictions in the San Francisco Bay Area are united and we are taking this step together to offer the best protection to our respective communities.”
The number of cases is likely much higher, though, due to a dearth of testing kits.
My friend works in pest control services. The owner says they’re an essential business. What do you guys think?
I vote yes. Same with the UPS Store. I have stuff to return.
Read below post by Exit 12A. The answer is in there.
Probably too little, too late.
…and let the REAL panicking began…
And do not come to the ER unless you are in a true emergency! Your toe pain is not a priority.
It actually is if it is gout. Living with that is agony. Even bed sheets on it hurt. You can’t walk, work, etc.
DARWIN Awards:
– A lady with coronavirus leaves her home to Self Quarantine by checking into a motel & refuses to tell the motel staff cuz she thought they wouldn’t let her stay there. She said she didn’t want her family at home to get infected. She brought her dogs & has been taking them for walks at the motel but claims it’s still Self Quarantine.
– Man takes a test for coronavirus & while waiting for the test results, he boarded JetBlue. During the flight, he receives his results = Positive, then tells the flight attendants who alert the incoming airport. He exposed the entire plane passengers & has been banned for Life from JetBlue.
As long as she stays six feet away from people she can technically still walk her dogs without exposing others. She is not sharing the same airspace with others if she’s alone in a hotel room unlike the gentleman who is sharing airspace on the plane. As long as the room is cleaned properly there shouldn’t be a problem. However we know how well hotels clean their rooms but that’s not the fault of the guests.
The first case is not a Darwin Award. The woman was smart to self-isolate in a hotel. I would not have told the staff either.
#1 is only a problem if she’s coming into contact with staff (Including cleaning staff). If she cleans up after herself and does her best not to put her germs everywhere, it should be fine.
I feel sheepish asking this, but will we still get mail and deliveries? Are USPS and UPS/FedEx essential services? I assume yes since most of us will be trying to shop online but I wasnt sure.
Thanks!
USPS, UPS, and all shipping companies are considered essential services under the order.
@Reason: But private mail services can close if they choose. USPS cannot.
Am wondering just how well thought thru this order was.
Will business be made whole for their loss of revenue, will employee jobs be guaranteed and how will loss of income from being unable to work be handled? How will people with no savings, living paycheck to paycheck put food on the table?
Will law enforcement be determining if your travel is in compliance ? ? ? ? This could get interesting . . . .
They better do a whole lot of explaining in great detail and do it quick, before low IQ Einstein’s infesting social media propagate the end of times. If this has not been well planned, might cause more chaos than the virus.
“Will business be made whole for their loss of revenue?”
Seriously? Who is supposed to make them whole? The coronoavirus? This is not the government’s fault. Better to be alive than dead.
“Will law enforcement be determining if your travel is in compliance ? ? ? ?”
No, as stated in other news articles. Their are enough valid to go out if you want to, like the doctor’s, grocery stores, gas, etc.
I think the cops would only ask for travel validation if people were loitering/lingering and not clearly to/from somewhere.
Government is closing down businesses, yes ???
Is tough enough to run a small business in CA given regulations red tape and bureaucracy. Business costs include their operating expenses such as loan servicing, utility costs, employee health coverage payments, etc. Should they just absorb those costs ?
How many small businesses can survive three weeks of no income, guess we may find out.
Has been over 45 years since I applied for unemployment, is there still a one week waiting period?
If so will it be waived during this “shelter in place” ?
This is going to be an interesting and guess who the lab rats in this little “EXPERIMENT” are.
@Original G:
Yes, there is a still a one-week waiting period for unemployment. As of now, it is not being waived.
@Concernicus:
I think the homeless would be allowed to loiter, as they have no other place to go.
“Essential Services” and other definitions (and exemptions) are listed in the County Health Director’s Order (available on the County Health website):
“…..
10. Definitions and Exemptions.
a. For purposes of this Order, individuals may leave their residence only to perform any of the following “Essential Activities.” But people at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and people who are sick are urged to stay in their residence to the extent possible except as necessary to seek medical care.
i. To engage in activities or perform tasks essential to their health and safety, or to the health and safety of their family or household members (including, but not limited to, pets), such as, by way of example only and without limitation, obtaining medical supplies or medication, visiting a
health care professional, or obtaining supplies they need to work from home.
ii. To obtain necessary services or supplies for themselves and their family or household members, or to deliver those services or supplies to others, such as, by way of example only and without limitation, canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet supply, fresh meats, fish, and poultry, and any other household consumer products, and products necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences.
iii. To engage in outdoor activity, provided the individuals comply with Social Distancing Requirements as defined in this Section, such as, by way of example and without limitation, walking, hiking, or running.
iv. To perform work providing essential products and services at an Essential Business or to otherwise carry out activities specifically permitted in this Order, including Minimum Basic Operations.
v. To care for a family member or pet in another household.
b. For purposes of this Order, individuals may leave their residence to work for or obtain services at any “Healthcare Operations” including hospitals, clinics, dentists, pharmacies, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, other healthcare facilities, healthcare suppliers, home healthcare services providers, mental health providers, or any related and/or ancillary healthcare services. “Healthcare Operations” also includes veterinary care and all healthcare services provided to animals. This exemption shall be construed broadly to avoid any impacts to the delivery of healthcare, broadly defined. “Healthcare Operations” does not include fitness and exercise gyms and similar facilities.
c. For purposes of this Order, individuals may leave their residence to provide any services or perform any work necessary to the operations and maintenance of “Essential Infrastructure,” including, but not limited to, public works construction, construction of housing (in particular affordable housing or housing for individuals experiencing homelessness), airport operations, water, sewer, gas, electrical, oil refining, roads and highways, public transportation, solid waste collection and removal, internet, and telecommunications systems (including the provision of essential global, national, and local infrastructure for computing services, business infrastructure, communications, and web-based services), provided that they carry out those services or that work in compliance with Social Distancing Requirements as defined this Section, to the extent possible.
d. For purposes of this Order, all first responders, emergency management personnel, emergency dispatchers, court personnel, and law enforcement personnel, and others who need to perform essential services are categorically
exempt from this Order. Further, nothing in this Order shall prohibit any individual from performing or accessing “Essential Governmental Functions,” as determined by the governmental entity performing those functions. Each governmental entity shall identify and designate appropriate employees or contractors to continue providing and carrying out any Essential Governmental Functions. All Essential Governmental Functions shall be performed in compliance with Social Distancing Requirements as defined in this Section, to the extent possible.
e. For the purposes of this Order, covered businesses include any for-profit, non-profit, or educational entities, regardless of the nature of the service, the function they perform, or its corporate or entity structure.
f. For the purposes of this Order, “Essential Businesses” means:
i. Healthcare Operations and Essential Infrastructure;
ii. Grocery stores, certified farmers’ markets, farm and produce stands, supermarkets, food banks, convenience stores, and other establishments engaged in the retail sale of canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet supply, fresh meats, fish, and poultry, and any other household consumer products (such as cleaning and personal care products). This includes stores that sell groceries and also sell other non-grocery products, and products necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences;
iii. Food cultivation, including farming, livestock, and fishing;
iv. Businesses that provide food, shelter, and social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals;
v. Newspapers, television, radio, and other media services;
vi. Gas stations and auto-supply, auto-repair, and related facilities;
vii. Banks and related financial institutions;
viii. Hardware stores;
ix. Plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences, Essential Activities, and Essential Businesses;
x. Businesses providing mailing and shipping services, including post office boxes;
xi. Educational institutions—including public and private K-12 schools, colleges, and universities—for purposes of facilitating distance learning or performing essential functions, provided that social distancing of six-feet per person is maintained to the greatest extent possible;
xii. Laundromats, drycleaners, and laundry service providers;
xiii. Restaurants and other facilities that prepare and serve food, but only for delivery or carry out. Schools and other entities that typically provide free food services to students or members of the public may continue to do so under this Order on the condition that the food is provided to students or members of the public on a pick-up and take-away basis only. Schools and other entities that provide food services under this exemption shall not permit the food to be eaten at the site where it is provided, or at any other gathering site;
xiv. Businesses that supply products needed for people to work from home;
xv. Businesses that supply other Essential Businesses with the support or supplies necessary to operate;
xvi. Businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food, goods or services directly to residences;
xvii. Airlines, taxis, and other private transportation providers providing transportation services necessary for Essential Activities and other purposes expressly authorized in this Order;
xviii. Home-based care for seniors, adults, or children;
xix. Residential facilities and shelters for seniors, adults, and children;
xx. Professional services, such as legal or accounting services, when necessary to assist in compliance with legally mandated activities;
xxi. Childcare facilities providing services that enable employees exempted in this Order to work as permitted. To the extent possible, childcare facilities must operate under the following mandatory conditions:
1. Childcare must be carried out in stable groups of 12 or fewer (“stable” means that the same 12 or fewer children are in the same group each day).
2. Children shall not change from one group to another.
3. If more than one group of children is cared for at one facility, each group shall be in a separate room. Groups shall not mix with each other.
4. Childcare providers shall remain solely with one group of children.
…………”
Thanks for posting this. It’s very good information.
How are people supposed to pay their bills and buy food from the stores that are still open with no income?
Maybe you should have prepared better and had some savings?
You can always apply for emergency CalFresh. There also will be no evictions or utility shut-offs during the emergency.
CY maybe you shouldn’t judge so harshly. Maybe Concerned is actually worried about others & not themselves. An appropriate question to ask.
If you are an employee and have been told to stay home, you should be able to get unemployment. My place of employment told us today was the last day in awhile, not sure what awhile means, 2-3 weeks or more. I have other income so I can manage without my salary, but it will be tight, I have savings, but will not use any of that money if I can avoid it, however I won’t be able to add to my savings every week as I usually do, and if I have an emergency then I will have to dip into my savings. I use to live paycheck to paycheck years ago, but learned the hard way that is not a good plan and not really sustainable in the long run.
The county has ordered its residents to stay home for the next three weeks and I’m still expected to leave my house and go to work these upcoming weeks. Seems fair.
That much easier for me to get around. I have to be in San Jose, San Ramon, San Francisco, Orinda, Redwood City, and Berkeley next week. Freeways will be empty and I expect gas prices to decrease too.
Your answer is a non-sequitur. Try again.
Just who is issuing this order and under what authority? Code Sections please .Who will enforce it and where are they going to put all of the ‘violators? Inquiring 70+ wants to know. Can they cite/jail an already 100% disabled person ?
1) By order of Chris Farnitano, MD Health Officer the County of Contra Costa County.
2) Health and Safety Code Sections 101040, 120175, and 120295 et seq. Failure to obey this order is a misdemeanor punishable by fine, imprisonment or both.
3) Law Enforcement is responsible for enforcing the law.
4) Yes, disabled people can go to county jail. That is not a get out of jail free card.
5) It is highly unlikely anyone will be arrested for violating this order. It is impossible to enforce this health order without the voluntary compliance of the public. The police just don’t have time for this….
And the panic gets bigger and bigger…..
Interesting, yet nobody had issues with Hunter Biden’s dealing.
I sure was wondering why we didn’t accept their tests weeks ago. So trumpian.
If I use hand sanitizer on my credit card, can I leave the house to get drive-thru fast food? Asking for a friend. 🤘🍔🍟🍕🌮🍩☕️🥤🍤🥧🌯🤘
Oh good! We have that here too, Atticus Thraxx. It is often very cool. Enjoy yourself.
This foolish decision has caused the stores to have thousands of people hoarding what’s left, exposing each other to whatever they may carry. as they wait hours in line coughing at each other. Many have been left without food and nowhere to go to eat. Deaths will be caused by these stupid, not thought out decisions being enforced NOT China Corona,
P.S Beware looters with a closed downtown!!!
Lots of Angry people out there!
Many restaurants will be open for to go orders only.
As usual your comments make little sense. Listen to the doctor’s and scientist, even today Trump sounded like he is in touch with the reality of what this could turn into. Having said that I don’t see any reason to buy enough toilet paper for months, or food for that matter, It is prudent to stock up, on necessities and perhaps have some extra cans of soup and tuna, and some extra frozen meat and veggies, which I think most of us have on hand anyway, at least if you are a women and raised a family and lived through storms and earthquakes. I doubt anyone will die from starvation. I went to Sprouts today, they had plenty of fruit, veggies, and I think meat, didn’t really look, since I don’t need any, looked like they had milk products, yoghurt as well as several frozen items. Went to CVS on Bancroft WC, they had only 2 packages of toilet paper left and a few paper towels.
@anon- Has Hunter Biden’s dealings affected your life? What a ridiculous comparison for a political jab. Who cares about him? Look at the millions the trump kids and family are making off of our government right now.
SMDH!
Homeless are exempt.
How soon will that list grow?
FYI
This is a coupe, not a health emergency.
I guess that makes it a two-door health emergency?
ROTFLMAO
Thanks, Cowellian
Well, I went out to get a haircut before the Order goes into effect.
This is basically a hard suggestion. The government has to declare martial law to lock people completely down. The only thing local police departments can do is set curfews at night which don’t apply to this specific announcement. you still have the right to travel wherever you want to but large gatherings are banned.
@ Anonymous
Hate to break it to you but California Governors have place Californians under Martial Law twice; San Francisco in 1906 after the earthquake and San Francisco’s dock in 1934.
Both the President of the United States (Article 1, Section 9 of the US Constitution) and Governor of California (43 & 146 of the Military & Veteran Code and PC 830.4) both have the authority.
Green side in, brown side out, run in circles, scream and shout! You got to, whip it up! Whip it good! Doodah, doodah….
Do you guys think sales departments and business office at a car dealership are essential?
I Am a school bus driver for mt diablo school district. Its 518 PM and I have not received from school district superintendent if the God dam drivers have to be at work tomorrow morning
It is not right to not communicate with the bus drivers
I say to that school superintendent, get your ass out of your head and communicate with your God Dam employees
I asked my son’s bus driver and she said the union communicated with the drivers about the school being closed for three weeks. She is a single Mom and I was concerned she wouldn’t be able to get paid. She said she should be able to get paid. Also, I think you can file unemployment benefits. Good Luck!
@Deputy Dog, I guess your the only one that doesn’t know.
In response to this shelter in place order, the Superintendent is directing all staff members to work from home from Tuesday, March 17th, 2020 through Tuesday, April 7th, 2020, except a core group of employees as directed by the Superintendent.
UnThinker,
Nevertheless, it was still a corrupt and shady dealing.
Please take off your two party system blinders. Very sad.
Is it ok to drive to the store to get Milk when I run out of it?
All the milk is sold out.
It’s a little like comparing apples to oranges but you’re absolutely right. Dems are such hypocrites. It’s funny how offended they all were over Trump paying a hooker to sleep with him but they had no problem with the philanderer Clinton. 🙄
People are going to misunderstand this order. It’s not a complete lock-down. It was clarified that you can go out for walks and other exercise.
Grocery stores tonight are going to be overwhelmed by people who think that this will be their last chance to shop for a while. This will lead to more spread of the disease, as people mob the store aisles in a frenzy.
Grocery, pharmacy and hardware stores will be open tomorrow, and the next day and the next day… There’s no need to panic and horde supplies.
As soon as they announced this, our store was absolutely flooded with people, cleaning everything we had out. The supply chain cannot keep up with this, there will be a gap in a lot of good availability. This is very poorly thought out, even if the reasoning is sound.
The previous governor’s order to restrict restaurants to take out and delivery seemed far more viable, nevermind not bankrupting every restaurant in the county.
Someone once asked me, how can the government control such a large population. Think about it.
Lock down officially underway midnight. Millenials – time to stop pot smoking in the local parks and go home…
Still had to work from home today, but did take time to get a little walk in this evening. Avoided other humans by walking on the opposite side of the street.
Saw some unqualified parent playing baseball with their daughter in the middle of street with cars driving by.
Don’t know what to make of that situation except that you can play baseball at the park nearby. Same people who are hoarding toilet paper.
If are going to go for takeout or delivery food, please remember to tip your delivery person well. They are doing a big service by helping you out in this difficult time.
In 2 weeks my cats will look like either toilet paper or dinner
Don’t forget the flocks of wild turkeys that roam around Concord — nice soft feathers and meat.
I’m betting that it will take less than a week for most people to ignore this shelter in place recommendation.
People will see other people out and go out themselves.
I know it won’t stop me from doing whatever I need to do.
Tell me why non essential businesses are still open in concord and I have to go to work still.