Breaking – Bay Area Health Officers Implement State’s Regional Stay Home Order Now, effective Sunday

Breaking – Six Bay Area Health Officers are implementing the State’s Regional Stay Home Order now, effective Sunday, December 6.

Rather than waiting until Intensive Care Unit (ICU) bed availability reaches critical levels and delaying closures that are inevitable, the Health Officers for the Counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, and Santa Clara as well as the City of Berkeley today jointly announced that they will implement the State’s Regional Stay Home Order now. 

“We understand that the closures under the State order will have a profound impact on our local businesses,” said Santa Clara County Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody. “However, if we act quickly, we can both save lives and reduce the amount of time these restrictions have to stay in place, allowing businesses and activities to reopen sooner.” 

Santa Clara County further clarified its guidance in a subsequent, separate announcement Friday afternoon. All retail is now subject to a 20 percent capacity limit, coordinating with State limits for the Regional Stay Home Order. All other County restrictions announced last week remain in effect, including the mandatory 14 day quarantine for travelers coming from more than 150 miles from the county’s borders. The new orders go into effect at 10pm on Sunday, December 6.

Most of the Bay Area Health Officers will implement the State’s Regional Stay At Home Order as of Sunday December 6, 2020.  The new restrictions will remain in place until January 4, 2021. 

This story has been updated with the new Santa Clara County guidance issued Friday afternoon.