San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Counties taking extra steps to shield public from infection
Counties across the Bay Area have ordered residents to shelter in place until at least April 7 as health officials struggle to keep the coronavirus from spreading across the region. Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered all Californians on March 19 to stay home and leave only for essential trips, mirroring the directives that local health officials already had in place. The state order does not supersede the local directives.
Here’s a quick look at what you need to know about the shelter-in-place order:
Why is this happening?
To safeguard public health and safety. Coronavirus is easily transmitted between people, especially in group settings. The shelter-in-place orders are being enacted to slow the spread of the virus by mandating that people stay indoors and isolate themselves — except to attend to certain essential activities, according to the health orders. As the number of cases in the region swells, health officials are also deeply concerned about being able to handle a huge influx of patients at clinics and hospitals.
Which counties are affected?
San Francisco, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Marin, Sonoma, Solano, Napa, Contra Costa and Alameda counties. The city of Berkeley, which has its own health department, is also participating.
How many people are affected?
Those counties have a combined population of 6.7 million.
How long is the order in place for?
The shelter-in-place order became effective Tuesday and will be in place until at least April 7. People, particularly vulnerable populations, are advised to leave their homes only to take care of essential errands.
Did the statewide shelter-inplace mandate change the local orders?
No. Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered all Californians on March 19 to stay home and leave only for essential trips. The state order does not supersede the local directives. San Francisco Mayor London Breed tweeted March 20 that “after consulting with the City Attorney and Director of Public Health, we’ve determined that the state’s stay-inplace order is complementary to ours.”
What will be closed, and what will stay open?
Counties are shutting down all but the most critical operations, according to the health orders. Places that attract clusters of people, like gyms, nightclubs or bars, will have to close. Restaurants must serve only take-out or delivery orders. Hospitals, grocery stores, banks and pharmacies will remain open.
The order calls for all “routine medical appointments” and elective procedures to be canceled or rescheduled.
Day care centers and veterinarians will remain open with some restrictions, as will laundry services. Emergency services, like police and fire operations, will also continue.
All non-essential gatherings
Bay Area under ‘shelter at home’ order
All nine Bay Area counties and Santa Cruz County have issued health orders directing people to stay at home and businesses to close except for essential activities.
of any size are now banned.
Can I still go outside for essentials, exercise and fresh air?
Yes. People will still be able to leave their homes to handle essential business in limited circumstances — like buying groceries or picking up medicine — and to get fresh air. But when people do need to leave their homes, health officials are requiring they maintain at least six feet from other individuals and that they wash their hands for at least 20 seconds as often as possible. They’re also calling on people to cover their coughs and sneezes and to avoid shaking hands.
I’m traveling and returning home to the Bay Area soon. Will I be allowed to come home?
Yes. The region’s shelter-inplace mandate does not prevent anyone from returning to their Bay Area home. But travelers should confirm their trip details with their airline.
How are the counties enforcing the shelter-in-place order?
In San Francisco, Police Chief Bill Scott said officials are looking for voluntary compliance with the shelter-in-place mandate and the rest of the health order. But the order does carry the weight of law: Officers could write citations for failing to comply with it, but Scott made it clear that such a move would be a last resort.
The shelter-in-place order is not a mandatory lockdown for residents, which would forbid people from leaving their homes without explicit permission. But the health orders issued by the counties calls for the sheriff or chief of police to “ensure compliance” in order to safeguard public health.
What if I can’t get out of the
Please contact friends, family or others you know who can provide support. They are permitted to pick up supplies you may need.
Can I visit loved ones in the hospital, nursing home, skilled nursing facility or other residential care facility?
Generally, no. There are limited exceptions, such as if you are going to the hospital with a minor who is under 18 years old or someone who is developmentally disabled and needs assistance. For most other situations, other existing orders of the health officer addressing this emergency prohibit non-necessary visitation to these kinds of facilities. If you need to know more, please contact the facility you want to visit by phone before you leave.
Can I leave home to visit friends or family members if there is no urgent need?
No. “For your safety as well as their safety, we need to help each other fight the spread of COVID-19 by staying at home,” city officials said.
Can I leave home to care for my elderly parents or friends who require assistance to care for themselves? Or a friend or family member who has disabilities?
Yes. Be sure that you protect them and you by following social-distancing guidelines such as washing hands before and after, using hand sanitizer, maintaining at least 6 feet of distance when possible, and coughing or sneezing into a tissue.
What’s the impact on public transportation?
Airports, taxis, and public transit — including BART — will remain operational, but only for essential travel and people are expected to keep six feet apart when possible.
Non-essential travel “on foot, bicycle, scooter, automobile or public transit” is prohibited. But people are able to leave their homes to exercise and get fresh air, provided they can practice safe social distancing.
People may travel for shopping for necessary supplies, accessing health care, and providing aid to family and friends who need assistance. Nonresidents may travel to return to homes outside the Bay Area, according to the health orders.
Can I move residences under the shelter in place?
Yes. San Francisco Department of Emergency Management said residents do not need to cancel their moving plans — they are free to move. But they should follow social distancing and are urged to self-isolate when they arrive at their destination to not put others at risk. Rental, moving and delivery services are still running as essential services, although some companies may have changed their policies, so check before you move.
Am I allowed to leave my home to move my car for street sweeping?
Yes. On Tuesday, San Francisco officials announced the city would not ticket cars blocking street sweepers through the end of March. “However, it is crucial that we still clean our streets to prevent trash buildup and local flooding. Please still move your car for street cleaning if you can,” San Francisco Mayor London Breed tweeted.
This shelter-in-place mandate is hurting my income. What if I can’t pay rent?
San Francisco has suspended evictions for people who can’t pay rent if they’re enduring financial hardship — like missing work — brought on by the virus. The moratorium doesn’t apply to no-fault evictions, but city officials are working to change that in the coming weeks.
Small and medium-size businesses also will not be evicted for failure to pay rent under a moratorium San Francisco issued Tuesday.
Can I still get deliveries from online stores?
Yes. The mail and other delivery services to your home can continue to function, including those for food. Businesses that deliver goods or services directly to residences are essential businesses that may continue to operate.
Can I use ride-share or ondemand service or a taxi?
Yes, but only for essential travel.
Dominic Fracassa is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dfracassa@sfchronicle. com Twitter: @DominicFracassa