Solano County issues shelter at home health order and directive to clarify social distancing and self-isolation measures

March 18, 2020

***Read the official order by clicking HERE***

SOLANO COUNTY – Solano County has issued a countywide Shelter at Home Health Order and Directive to continue protecting the health and safety of our community, clarify directive guidance in accordance with the Governor, and ensure consistent compliance across the County with social distancing and self-isolation measures. These mitigation measures are disruptive, but critical to curb the growing number of cases resulting from community spread, particularly given that most those infected show mild symptoms or no symptoms at all.

Effective immediately and will continue to be in effect until 11:59 p.m. on April 7, 2020, or until it is extended, rescinded, superseded, or amended in writing by the Solano County Public Health Officer, the Order directs the public to implement the following:

- Gatherings of any size that do not allow for participants to maintain six feet of distance apart are strongly prohibited unless they are for "essential activities" as defined in the Order.

- Establishments serving alcohol such as bars, wineries, nightclubs and breweries must close. Movie theaters must also close.

- Establishments serving food may remain open with takeout and delivery options only. Dine-in operations must cease.

- All health clubs, tanning facilities, gyms and spas must close.

- Prohibits non-essential travel.

- Employers are required to ensure compliance with social distancing guidelines and should implement teleworking where appropriate and feasible. Only employees performing essential duties that are not able to be done remotely should physically come to work.

- Employers that require a doctor's note for a leave of absence due to illness must suspend those policies. Employers are strongly encouraged to allow employees flexible use of paid time off/sick leave.

- All people with fever, cough, or other respiratory symptoms should stay home until seven days after symptom onset. Self-management of these symptoms is encouraged, but if difficulty breathing and lethargy develop, or symptoms suddenly become worse, they should contact their healthcare provider or urgent care center immediately. Calling ahead is strongly encouraged.

- Childcare centers may remain open if they strictly follow social distancing protocols in accordance with the guidance distributed and posted on the Solano Public Health website.

- Nonessential personnel are prohibited from entering hospitals and long-term care facilities, including patient visitation. All essential personnel displaying symptoms of COVID-19 should self-isolate until seven days after symptom onset, and hospitals are urged to delay elective procedures.

- Populations with higher risk of complications from infection should stay home and away from all gatherings involving people outside of their immediate families. These populations include: people with chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes cancer, heart disease, lung disease, immuno-compromising conditions and those over 65 years of age. Pregnant individuals should also strongly consider self-isolating to the extent possible.

- All Solano County Residents, regardless of risk-level, should stay home to the extent possible, and continue practicing universal precautions of handwashing for at least 20 seconds, disinfecting commonly used surfaces, and covering coughs or sneezes with their elbow or tissue instead of hands.

“We are taking this health crisis seriously and trying to protect our community while still ensuring that the essential parts of our County can function and attempting to lessen the substantial burden placed on workers and businesses,” says Dr. Bela Matyas, M.D., M.P.H., County Public Health Officer.  “We trust our community to adhere to these directives, and we stress the importance of working together to get this through this difficult time.”

This is a rapidly evolving situation. For the latest updates about COVID-19, please visit www.cdc.gov/covid19. Solano Public Health will continue to provide up-to-date information about COVID-19 through their website at www.solanocounty.com/publichealth and on Facebook @SolanoCountyPH.