What to know about the latest regional stay at home order

From a City of Piedmont email on Dec. 10:

Last week, Governor Gavin Newsom announced a regional stay at home order – linked to ICU bed capacity within 5 separate regions in the state- to attempt to prevent the recent surge in Covid-19 cases in California from overwhelming hospitals. The Health Officers of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, and Santa Clara Counties, along with the City of Berkeley announced that they would impose the provisions of the State of California’s stricter shelter in place order effective December 7, 2020. 

Here are answers to common questions about the order:

How long does the order last?

Health Order No. 20-21 will remain in effect until January 4, 2021. At that time, the county health officer will assess whether the order needs to be extended beyond that date. 

What does the order prohibit?

The order prohibits gatherings of any size, non-essential travel, limits business operations except for critical infrastructure and retail, and requires 100% masking and physical distancing. Specifically, the following activities and businesses must close:

  • Indoor playgrounds 
  • Indoor recreational facilities and live audience sports
  • Hair salons, barbershops, nail salons, and other personal care services
  • Museums, zoos, and aquariums
  • Movie theaters, family entertainment centers, amusement parks
  • Wineries, bars, breweries, and distilleries

What is allowed under the order?

The order allows access to critical services and outdoor activities to preserve physical and mental health.

For example, you may leave your home to obtain healthcare at medical and dental offices, work at any business or other entity that is allowed to open, to engage in worship and protest activities consistent with public health directives, to patronize local businesses, or to care for friends or family members who require assistance. See a full list of Alameda County Opening/Closing at a Glance on the Alameda County Public Health Department website

You may also leave your home with or without a specific destination in mind (for example, to walk your dog, to engage in physical recreation, or simply to get some fresh air) as long as you wear a mask, maintain physical distancing and comply with any other applicable public health directives.

The following activities and business may operate with additional restrictions and 100% masking and physical distancing:

  • Outdoor areas like beaches, outdoor playgrounds, parks and hiking trails: overnight stays at campgrounds will not be permitted.
  • Recreational facilities: outdoor operation allowed only without any food, drink or alcohol sales. 
  • Retail: indoor operation permitted at 20% capacity with entrance metering and no eating or drinking in the stores. Additionally, special hours should be instituted for seniors and others with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems. 
  • Shopping centers: indoor operation allowed at 20% capacity with entrance metering and no eating or drinking in the stores. Additionally, special hours should be instituted for seniors and others with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems.
  • Hotels and lodging: Open only for critical infrastructure support only.
  • Restaurants: Open only for take-out, pick-up, or delivery.
  • Offices: remote only permitted except for critical infrastructure sectors where remote working is not possible. Medical and dental offices remain open.
  • Places of worship and political expression: Outdoor services only.

What are the restrictions on travel?

Under the County’s order, non-essential travel within or outside Alameda County is prohibited. Travel to access (or work at) critical services is permitted. The state regional stay at home order prohibits hotel use for tourism, leisure and other nonessential reasons, like nonessential travel, whether it be a vacation or a road trip to see family or friends.

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