The Alameda County Health Officer has released updated shelter in place guidelines. The shelter in place order has been extended to May 3rd, 2020. There are also updated guidelines regarding the shelter in place, see summary below. To read the complete order click here

The new Order is more restrictive in a number of ways. Major new restrictions include:

• Social distancing requirements are mandatory. Unless strict compliance is explicitly waived, everyone must comply with the social distancing requirements at all times.
• Essential businesses must maximize the number of employees who work from home, excepting only those employees who cannot perform their job duties from home.
• Use of playgrounds, dog parks, public picnic areas, and similar recreational areas is prohibited. These areas must be closed to public use.
• Businesses that supply products needed for people to work from home are no longer essential businesses under the Order, and must cease operations (except minimum basic operations) at facilities in the County.
• Essential businesses that continue to operate facilities in the County must scale down operations to their essential component only.
• Sports or activities that require use of shared equipment, like frisbees, basketballs, baseballs, and soccer balls, may only be engaged in by members of the same household.

The new Order also makes important clarifications. Major clarifications include:

• Crowding at beaches, public parks, and open spaces has been a problem. The Health Officer, government, or entity that manages the space may adopt restrictions to reduce crowding and risk of COVID-19 transmission, including limiting number of entrants, restricting vehicular access, or complete closure.
• Individuals may move residences only if it is not possible to wait until the Order expires, such as if a move is already planned or if it is necessary for safety or habitability.
• Landscapers and similar service professionals may only provide services necessary to maintain the sanitation, habitability, or operation of residences or businesses, or for safety reasons. They may not provide services that are cosmetic or for general upkeep.
• Childcare facilities may only provide care to children or dependents of individuals working for essential businesses, providing essential governmental functions, or performing minimum basic operations for non-essential businesses.