- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
Lake County’s shelter in place order extended through May 17; neighboring counties update orders and restrictions
Pace had told the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday that he expected to extend the order – which went into effect on March 19 – until May 17, and on Friday he formally took that action.
The release of his updated order took place several hours after a group of protesters gathered in Lakeport and drove through town, demanding that Clear Lake be reopened to the community as part of reopening the county as a whole.
Pace said the shelter in place order will continue “largely unchanged,” until May 17.
In response to public input, the new order will permit fishing from nonmotorized boats, but Pace kept in place the prohibition against sailboats for now. He also offered clarification on golfing activities, which can be seen in the order below.
Pace said Gov. Gavin Newsom’s stay at home rule is the overriding rule, and the local order can be more – not less – restrictive. “Unfortunately, we have not been provided a clear timeline or indication of specific changes he intends to make.”
He said efforts are ongoing to prepare to open the economy back up in a “well-thought-out and safe manner,” with county leadership meeting with local business partners to sketch out safe ways for different sectors of the economy to reopen at the earliest responsible time.
Gov. Newsom has put forth several preconditions to loosening his stay at home order, including adequate testing, a manageable level of infections, good hospital surge capacity, adequate protections for workers and the public, and adequate sick time for workers to be able to stay home when not well, Pace said.
Pace said most of these factors are present to some extent in Lake County, where the seventh COVID-19 case was confirmed this week but the predicted hospital surge hasn’t taken place.
County officials are working to get adequate testing capacity in place, including drive-thru testing that is set to begin next week, Pace said.
He said the county’s economy will reopen with the lowest risk activities.
Large events such as weddings and festivals will not be allowed to resume until “much later on.” Pace is recommending the cancellation of this year’s Lake County Fair and also telling high schools that they should make plans for virtual graduation ceremonies.
“Unfortunately, these important events present too great a risk for viral transmission due to the mixing of large numbers of people,” Pace said.
New orders issued in neighboring counties
In neighboring counties, some officials were extending their shelter in place orders this week while others maintained existing orders.
Colusa County’s order will remain in effect until 11:59 p.m. May 8; Glenn County continues to implement the state’s stay at home order, which has no expiration date; Mendocino County’s order is in effect until May 10; and Napa County’s latest order has no end date until rescinded by the health officer.
Yolo County extended its shelter in place order on Thursday from May 1 until May 31.
Under that order, as of May 4, Yolo’s order allows drive-in religious services and all construction to resume as long as they follow the county’s guidelines and social distancing protocols.
Like Lake’s order, Sonoma County’s order was due to expire on May 3. On Friday, Sonoma County Health Officer Dr. Sundari Mase issued a new shelter in place order that has no specific end date.
While it continues masking requirements and directs people to stay home unless engaged in “essential activities” or “essential businesses,” the Sonoma County order also expands the definitions of what those essential activities and businesses are.
That includes allowing more construction and construction support services; arborists, landscapers, gardeners, pool maintenance and environmental site remediation services, permits retail sales at gas stations and auto supply, auto repair and automotive dealerships; bicycle shops for sales and repairs; nurseries for retail sales; professional services, such as legal, notary or accounting services; allows golf courses and driving ranges to operate; and clarifies that facial coverings are encouraged (but not required) for children in childcare facilities.
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