Confused about stay-home orders? Here is what’s happened in Stanislaus County.
Some residents in Stanislaus County have asked for clarification of coronavirus stay-at-home orders that are still in effect.
First, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s shelter-in-place announced in March remains in effect in Stanislaus and other counties.
Here is a summary of county actions this week:
- The Stanislaus Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion Tuesday to no longer spend county resources enforcing the state’s shelter-in-place order that, among other things, called for non-essential businesses to close or limit services. The board cited evidence from the county public health officer that the risk of transmission of COVID-19 illness is low in retail stores and businesses if precautions are taken.
- The county had expected to unveil a plan this week for reopening businesses such as retail stores, gyms and dine-in restaurants but state requirements released May 7 erased hopes of the county getting state approval for reopening. In particular, the county needs to go 14 days with zero COVID-19 deaths and no more than 56 new cases. The county recorded a death on Wednesday, and have had 163 new cases recorded the last two weeks.
- Supervisors said Tuesday the county would not stop small businesses from opening in defiance of the state order. They cautioned that certain state-licensed businesses that open could be penalized by state agencies.
- It was understood Sheriff Jeff Dirkse will still not allow large gatherings, which are known to have spawned coronavirus cases. Top county officials said Friday the county is responding to complaints about violations of the state order to educate people.
- Tuesday’s board action also rescinded the county’s shelter-in-place orders with exceptions. County public health still has authority to quarantine or isolate individuals who’ve tested positive or were exposed to known cases. Restrictions on nursing homes and assisted living facilities remain in place.
- Dr. Julie Vaishampayan, county health officer, followed through and rescinded her shelter-in-place orders later Tuesday, saying her orders were more restrictive than the state’s. She issued a new order for food and beverage manufacturing facilities to take preventive measures such as masking and symptoms screening for employees.
- By week’s end, Stanislaus County will state its case for a safe reopening in a request to state government for a variance. The state would have to overlook recent deaths and caseload increases, which the county says are driven by a nursing home outbreak in Turlock.
- If the variance is granted, the county could allow businesses to open under the social distancing and other precautions of the governor’s plan.
This story was originally published May 15, 2020 at 10:04 AM.
Ken Carlson
The Modesto Bee