Month: May 2020
STAY WELL AT HOME ORDER: Local Guidance Provided for Barbershops, Hair Salons, Places of Worship, and More in Santa Barbara County
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) — The County Health Officer Henning Ansorg, M.D. has issued Health Officer Order No. 2020-8.3. This Order will be effective starting 5 p.m., Tuesday May 26, 2020 and continuing until 5 p.m., on June 30, 2020 or until it is extended, rescinded, superseded, or amended in writing by the County of Santa Barbara Health Officer.
The Health Officer Order provides updated guidance for places of worship and providers of religious services and cultural ceremonies, graduation ceremonies, hair salons, and barbershops:
- Places of worship and providers of religious services and cultural ceremonies may:
- Provide services virtually;
- Provide services in-person, provided attendance is limited to 25% of the building capacity, or a maximum of 100 attendees, whichever is lower.; and
- Operate offices for administrative support for the places of worship and providers.
- Graduations may be provided:
- Through streaming or other technology; or
- In-person if all of the following protocols are followed:
- All activity must occur outdoors. Inside ceremonies are prohibited;
- All persons attending the activity must be inside a motor vehicle occupied only be persons from the same household or living unity;
- All motor vehicles at the gathering must maintain at least a minimum distance of six feet from all other vehicles;
- Graduates may be outside the vehicle to walk across a stage, receive a diploma/award, or have a photo taken as long as social distancing of at least six feet is maintained at all times; and
- Diplomas, certificates, and programs may be distributed from school to graduate or participants in car.
- An option for schools to assemble an outdoor graduation ceremony is possible if the total number of all attendees is less than 100 people and social distancing is maintained.
- Hair salons and barbershops may provide in-person services both the worker and customer wear face coverings for the entirety of the service. Services that cannot be performed with a face covering on both the worker and customer or that require touching of the customer’s face are not allowed.
More guidance and the full Health Officer Order can be viewed here: https://publichealthsbc.org/health-officer-orders/
Stay Connected:
County Public Health: www.PublicHealthSBC.org, Twitter and Facebook
County of Santa Barbara: www.CountyofSB.org, Twitter, Facebook
County Call Center: (833) 688-5551
2-1-1 Call Center: Dial 211 if calling from within the county; or call (800) 400-1572 if calling from outside the area.
Recorded Information Line: (805) 681-4373
Community Wellness Team Information and Referral Line: (805) 364-2750
STAY WELL AT HOME ORDER
Temporary Requirement to Use Face Coverings to Slow the Spread of COVID-19
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) – The County Health Officer Dr. Henning Ansorg, M.D. has issued Health Officer Order No. 2020-10. This Order will be effective starting 5:00 p.m. (PDT) May 26, 2020, continuing until 5:00 p.m. (PDT), on June 30, 2020 or until it is extended, rescinded, superseded, or amended in writing by the County of Santa Barbara Health Officer (“Health Officer”).
A significant portion of individuals with COVID-19 are asymptomatic and can transmit the virus to others through coughing, sneezing, or talking. Face coverings have the potential to slow the spread of the virus by limiting the spread of respiratory droplets.
The intent of this Order is to temporarily require the use of Face Coverings to slow the spread of COVID-19 to the maximum extent possible.
The new order stipulates the following:
- This Order does not apply to infants or children under the age of 13.
- Masks with one-way valves cannot be used to comply with this Order. These types of masks permit respiratory droplets to easily escape which places others at risk.
- All individuals, unless an exception applies, must wear a face covering:
- When inside of or in line to enter any and all businesses.
- When using public transportation, a private car service, or a ride-sharing vehicle. Drivers must wear a face covering while driving or operating vehicles regardless of whether a member of the public is in the vehicle.
- All businesses must require employees, contractors, owners, and volunteers to wear a face covering at the workplace and at off-site work locations.
Exceptions, guidelines and information relative to this order can be found in the full Health officer Order located here.
Stay Connected:
County Public Health: www.PublicHealthSBC.org, Twitter and Facebook
County of Santa Barbara: www.CountyofSB.org, Twitter, Facebook
2-1-1 Call Center: Dial 211 or outside the area, call (800) 400-1572
Recorded Information Line: (805) 681-4373
Behavioral Wellness 24/7 Access Line: (888) 868-1649
Community Wellness Team Information and Referral Line: (805) 364-2750
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL DEATH OF A PERSON WITH COVID-19
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) — Santa Barbara County Public Health Department (PHD) is reporting the twelfth death of an individual who tested positive for COVID-19. The individual resided in the City of Santa Maria and was in their 70’s with underlying health conditions. As of today, there are 1,551 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Santa Barbara County, 971 cases are at the Federal Prison in Lompoc and 580 are community cases and 463 have fully recovered. Today’s total number of confirmed cases includes an update as a case reported previously was determined not to be a case.
“The loss of a loved one is devastating. We send our deepest sympathies to the friends and families of this community member. As we open businesses this long holiday weekend we must remember that this virus is still prevalent and active in our community. Please stay vigilant and continue to wear facial coverings while in public and practice social distancing,” said Van Do-Reynoso, PhD, Director for the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department.
Although most cases of COVID-19 exhibit mild or moderate symptoms, PHD recommends additional measures to prevent exposure among vulnerable people, including the elderly and those with underlying health conditions (such as diabetes, cancer, immunodeficiency, asthma, COPD and others). PHD recommends that residents, especially those who are vulnerable:
- Stay home except for essential tasks. Ensure you have a two-week supply of medication on hand.
- When engaging in essential tasks away from home, remain 6 feet away from others and wear a facial covering.
- Wash your hands with soap and water regularly.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
For general questions about COVID-19 and precautions currently recommended by Santa Barbara County Public Health, residents may call the Santa Barba County call Center at (833)-688-5551. The Call Center is open weekdays (except for holidays) from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p. m. and on the weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Stay Connected:
County Public Health: www.PublicHealthSBC.org, Twitter and Facebook
County of Santa Barbara: www.CountyofSB.org, Twitter, Facebook
County Call Center: (833) 688-5551
Recorded Information Line: (805) 681-4373
2-1-1 Call Center: Dial 211 or outside the area, call (800) 400-1572
Community Wellness Team Information and Referral Line: (805) 364-2750
Behavioral Wellness Crisis Line: (888) 868-1649
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY APPROVED TO MOVE FURTHER AHEAD IN STAGE 2 OF CALIFORNIA RESILIENCE ROADMAP
Health Officer Order Issued to Align with Reopening of Dine-In Restaurants and Destination Retail Beginning Today
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) –Santa Barbara County’s Attestation and Reopening Plan has been approved by the State of California. The County of Santa Barbara will begin moving further into stage 2 of the reopening process. A modified Health Officer Order has been released providing guidance regarding the criteria and procedures with which Santa Barbara County will move forward through the expanded stage 2 of the Governor’s 4-Stage Process.
The lower risk workplaces which are permitted to reopen safely while adhering to social distancing guidelines provided by the Governor and the Santa Barbara County Health Officer include:
- Destination retail, including but not limited to clothing stores and shoe stores
- Dine-in restaurants (other facility amenities, like bars or gaming areas, are not permitted)
- Campground and RV Parks
“This is an exciting next step for our entire community and we are thankful for the diligent cooperation of residents. As local businesses work through reopening we encourage them to adhere to physical distancing and hygiene guidelines while educating both staff and customers of new practices,” shared Van Do-Reynoso, Director for the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department.
The State has provided Guidance for Dine-In Restaurants, Checklist for Dine-In Restaurants, and Guidance for Retail that can be useful in the planning process. These documents help businesses understand how to adapt procedures and practices for this next stage of reopening.
For the full Health Officer Order, please visit: https://publichealthsbc.org/health-officer-orders/.
The Health Officer Order went into effect today, May 21, 2020 at 9 a.m.
For general questions about stage 2 reopening and general COVID-19 information, residents may call the Santa Barbara County Call Center at (833) 688-5551.
Stay Connected:
County Public Health: www.PublicHealthSBC.org, Twitter and Facebook
County of Santa Barbara: www.CountyofSB.org, Twitter, Facebook
County Call Center: (833) 688-5551
Recorded Information Line: (805) 681-4373
Community Wellness Team Information and Referral Line: (805) 364-2750
Behavioral Wellness Crisis Line: (888) 868-1649