Yolo County increases grocery store capacity

Percentage has increased from 20% to 35%

Yolo County has increased grocery store capacity in response to an update from the state government.

Grocery stores are now allowed to operate at 35% capacity. This is an increase from the 20% capacity originally placed on grocery stores by the amended Yolo County Health Officer Order, which followed parts of the Newsom Administration’s regional stay- at- home order.

Grocery stores were previously placed in the pool with retail industries — which are still at 20%. The administration changed the cap on grocery stores Sunday after lobbying from the California Grocers Association. The 35% capacity cap is sufficient for social distancing, according to a statement from Yolo County Interim Lead Public Information Officer, Carolyn Jahjj.

The county introduced the new order in line with the regional stay- at- home order Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Dec. 3 for regions with intensive care unit capacities dropping below 15%. All counties in a region that drops below 15% capacity must enforce the new restrictions.

Yolo County is in the Sacramento region, which is currently at 18.8%, but the county put new guidelines in place Sunday in an effort to reduce COVID- 19 spread before ICU beds are in critically short supply.

The county rules aren’t as strict as those that would be imposed if the region hit 15% capacity, as it allows restaurants and wineries to continue outdoor operations and allows personal care services to continue.

Yolo County encourages residents to stay home as much as possible.

“COVID- 19 is more prevalent in the community now than ever before and activities that may have previously been safe, now pose a higher risk,” Jhajj stated.

For more information about Yolo County’s ordinance and to see which businesses are currently open, visit: www. yolocounty. org/ coronavirus- roadmap.