Less than 24 hours after Governor Newsom ordered people 65 years and older to home isolate, Santa Clara County Health Department as well as six additional counties in our region issued an order to shelter in place. Failure to do so can be a misdemeanor. Information about the order and answers to frequently asked questions are here.
Some questions in my household include. What are essential activies and businesses that are exempt from the order? Essential business and activities include
- Healthcare,
- Grocery stores, certified farmers’ markets, farm and produce stands, supermarkets, food banks, convenience stores, food cultivation,
- Media outlets,
- Gas stations and auto repair
- Banks and financial institutions
- Hardware stores
- Plumbers, electricians, exterminators,
- Mailing and shipping services,
- Educational institutions for distance learning or supplying food,
- Laundromats, dry cleaners, and laundry service providers
- Restaurants and other facilities that prepare and serve food, but only for delivery or carry out,
- Home health care workers,
- Businesses that supply products needed for people to work from home or the support or supplies necessary to operate.
- Businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food, goods or services directly tor residences;
- Airlines, taxis, and other private transportation providers – only serving people providing essential services.
- Home-based care for seniors, adults, or children
- Residential facilities and shelters for seniors, adults, and children;
- Professional services, such as legal or accounting services for legally mandated activities only
- Childcare facilities providing services that enable employees exempted to work as permitted and operating under strict conditions
Walks for health (mental and physical) are allowed as long as you stay six feet or more away from other people.
The City of Sunnyvale is formulating a response, having just learned of the order a couple hours ago at 1 p.m. Marcy 16th
This order also impacts the County Alameda, the City of Berkeley, the County of Contra Costa, the County of Marin, the City and County of San Francisco, and the County of San Mateo.