- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
Lake County Public Health officer clarifies updated order; neighboring counties adjust shelter in place orders
On Thursday, Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Pace issued an addendum to his shelter in place order that allowed individuals and certain businesses to resume “some relatively low-risk activities while observing social distancing, and gathering in groups no larger than two.”
The wording of that order led to some confusion. It went into effect on April 23 and said it expires on June 1, leading some community members to conclude the entire shelter in place order had been extended.
Pace said in a Friday clarification that the shelter in place order’s expiration date remains May 3.
However, he added, “An extension of the order and/or updated orders will be forthcoming. The term of the order and its restrictions will depend on modifications that the governor makes to the state orders, and will also be based on the trajectory of the infection in Lake and neighboring counties.”
As of Friday night, Lake’s confirmed COVID-19 cases remained at six, while neighboring Mendocino County had seen its cases rise to 11 – more than doubling – over the previous day.
Other neighboring counties reported the following totals: Colusa, three; Glenn, five; Napa, 58 cases, two deaths; Sonoma, 217 cases, two deaths; and Yolo County, 157 cases, 13 deaths.
Statewide, more than 41,000 cases and 1,600 deaths were confirmed as of Friday by county departments.
On Friday Pace issued another addendum that also clarified the status of boating and fishing in Lake County.
The Friday addendum gives limited permissions for boating and fishing that apply to all city and county public waterways in Lake County.
Pace said fishing is allowed from the shoreline only – no fishing from boats is permitted – and swimming in waterways also is not permitted.
“We understand the orders have severely affected people and businesses, and have sought to take reasonable, evidence-based action to promote public health throughout the COVID-19 crisis,” Pace said Friday. “We will continue to monitor all available indicators of COVID-19 activity, and consider reintroduction of further activities, as appropriate. Again, activities will be reintroduced gradually, in the interest of public health.”
Neighboring counties update shelter in place orders
Pace has so far not required facial coverings but said that could be a requirement in the future.
Other counties around the region have taken different approaches to the question of facial coverings and also have varying end dates for their shelter in place orders.
Sonoma County instituted a requirement for people to wear facial coverings in public beginning on April 17, as Lake County News has reported.
Sonoma’s shelter in place order, like Lake’s, is in effect until May 3.
On Wednesday, Napa County issued an updated shelter in place order that is in effect until further action by the Public Health officer.
It included a “strong recommendation” that community members wear face coverings when in public or in shared spaces but didn’t make them mandatory.
That order loosened some restrictions, allowing for construction activities, real estate agent-client residential viewings, drive-in religious services with proper physical distancing, landscaping and gardening maintenance, and the use of golf courses and driving ranges.
On Thursday, Yolo County issued a new health order that requires everyone to wear a nonmedical facial covering in public, beginning on April 27.
Yolo’s shelter in place order continues through May 1.
On Friday, Mendocino County Health Officer Dr. Noemi Doohan issued a fourth revised shelter in place order that will remain in effect until May 10.
As part of that order, a new rule will begin at noon on May 1 that requires the use of facial coverings when in public as an additional measure to stop the spread of COVID-19 in Mendocino County. Exceptions are for children under 2 and those for whom it is not advised for health-related reasons. Facial coverings are recommended but optional for children ages 2 to 12.
“Facial covering orders are being widely adopted across California to help protect against asymptomatic spread of COVID-19,” Doohan said. “Wearing facial coverings in public combined with social distancing practices and sheltering in place are powerful weapons against COVID-19 and are helping prepare our community for limited reopening of activities in May.”
The new order also lessens some restrictions, including allowing for outdoor recreation to be initiated from within a 20-mile drive of one’s residence and permitting live-streaming of events that include singing and similar activities provided that venues take protective measures to mitigate COVID-19 transmission.
Colusa County’s shelter in place order remains in effect through May 8 and Glenn has implemented the state’s stay at home order, which so far doesn’t have a timeline for ending.
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