(April 18, 2020) In our mission to serve, protect and respect our residents, employees and businesses, the County today enacted an omnibus COVID-19 health order that helps clarify items related to public safety directives.

Highlights of the new order include:

* Face coverings are not required for drivers traveling alone or with members of their households, unless they must lower their windows to interact with someone who is not a member of their household.

* A face covering is not required for solitary outdoor activity or for members of the same household engaging in outdoor activity. If others are present, regardless of social distancing, a face covering is required.

* Businesses may refuse service to those without face coverings.

* Individual cities and park operators have jurisdiction in managing parking areas, deciding whether they remain open, and ensuring safe social distancing.

The state has declared that drive-in worship services are allowed “as long as the individuals engaged in such services abide by physical distancing guidelines and refrain from direct and indirect physical touching of others ”

The entire County health order can be read here, http://www.sbcounty.gov/Uploads/CAO/Feature/Content/Omnibus_Health_Officer_Order_4-17-20.pdf. The new order replaces most previous health orders and provides directives to help residents, service providers, and businesses work together to slow the spread of the virus, head-off the overloading of our healthcare system, and save lives.