- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
Masking policy for the public approved for county of Lake government facilities
The board approved the policy as part of an urgency ordinance at its May 5 meeting in a unanimous vote.
Lake County Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace has so far not required masking generally in the county, although he has continued to strongly urge people to use masks to reduce transmission of COVID-19.
With that guidance in mind, on April 21, the board approved a temporary policy requiring county employees to wear masks in county facilities as a precautionary measure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last week, County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson and County Counsel Anita Grant brought to the board an updated urgency ordinance with changes suggested at the board’s April 28, as Lake County News has reported.
Among the updates to the language is a disclaimer that the masking requirement is meant to reduce the likelihood of COVID-19 transmission, but that it’s not a guarantee, and that rules for the courts – which are housed on the building’s fourth floor – would ultimately be determined by the judiciary, the latter suggestion coming from Supervisor Rob Brown.
The urgency ordinance, which went into effect on May 5, said that the safety practices it requires must be observed “while the present COVID-19 State of Emergency continues to exist, or until otherwise ordered by the Board of Supervisors.”
It requires the following:
– “a. Absent the option of a minimum six-foot separation or the use of protective shielding, persons entering a County facility who engage in in-person interactions, face-to-face meetings, or must work together in close proximity, shall wear face masks/coverings of their own devise or wear a face mask provided free of charge by the County of Lake during that period of interaction. In addition, when in lobbies, hallways, stairwells or using restrooms of County
facilities, all persons are strongly urged to wear masks.”
– “b. All persons who enter a County facility who utilize an elevator shall wear face masks/coverings of their own devise or wear a face mask provided to them free of charge by the County of Lake while in the elevator.”
– “c. Notwithstanding the above-described requirements, the safety precautions in the County superior courts shall be determined by the local judiciary.”
As part of the safety precautions the county is implementing, the county will make face masks available to the public at the front entrance areas of all county facilities, at the customer service counters of all county facilities and at elevator entrances.
Visitors to the courthouse who refuse to use face masks may be refused service, according to the policy.
Huchingson said one of the primary issues with pursuing the policy is the cost and availability of masks.
She said that an estimated 1,000 people per month visit the courthouse, a number her office got in working with the court security staff.
During the meeting, it was reported that another 6,000 people a month are visiting other facilities such as the Social Services Department.
Huchingson reported later in the meeting that the rough annual estimate for providing masks to the public at all county facilities is $48,000. The county is planning to seek state and federal reimbursement for those costs.
County facilities still haven’t reopened for in-person services to the general public, which is part of the latter phase of Stage 2 – which began late last week – in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Resilience Roadmap.
County Deputy Administrative Officer Matthew Rothstein told Lake County News that the state criteria will require Dr. Pace to attest to the county’s readiness to progress to the latter phases. Rothstein said he expects that matter to come up during Pace’s Tuesday update to the board.
“The date county facilities resume serving the public will be informed by this discussion,” Rothstein said.
In the meantime, Rothstein said the county’s preparations for reopening facilities and implementing the masking protocols remain in progress.
“Work began last week to place masks, and signage has been developed,” Rothstein said Monday.
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