Today (May 22), Sonoma County Health Officer Dr. Sundari Mase issued a third amendment to the Shelter in Place Order to allow additional business activities, in alignment with the State of California’s Resilience Roadmap. Effective Saturday, May 23 at 12:01 am., the following businesses may reopen but must follow the guidelines outlined in the Order:  

• Restaurants, food facilities, breweries, bars, pubs, craft distilleries, wineries and tasting rooms are allowed to operate outdoors if they offer sit-down meals only. These businesses should continue to offer drive-thru, delivery, and carry-out whenever possible. No inside dining or entertainment events will be permitted.
• Childcare may expand to include summer day programs.
• Drive-in ceremonies and movie theaters may operate as long as all participants remain fully enclosed in their vehicles at all times.
• Libraries may offer curbside pick-up.
• Faith-based organizations may offer in-person counseling services if telework is not available.

VIEW PRESS RELEASE ANNOUNCING AMENDED HEALTH ORDER FROM THE COUNTY OF SONOMA

Strict Protocols in Place to Safely Reopen

All businesses must comply with local and state orders and requirements for safely reopening, including preparing, posting and implementing a Social Distancing Protocol and requiring all employees to perform a self-check for COVID-19 symptoms and temperature check before reporting to work. Please refer to the County of Sonoma’s Health Order Guidelines and FAQs for more information on these protocols.

To prepare for safely reopening in compliance with the Health Order, we also encourage business owners to visit the Sonoma County Economic Development Board’s SoCo Launch website. SoCo Launch contains mitigation strategies, checklists, and self-certification assessments for various industries to safely reopen according to the Order: VISIT SOCO LAUNCH

City Working to Make More Outdoor Space Available to Support Local Business Operations Under New Order Amendment

The City of Santa Rosa is working quickly to activate additional outdoor space for local businesses who are allowed to operate under this new amended Health Order. The additional space will allow these businesses more outdoor space to operate responsibly while maintaining social distancing protocols and compliance with the Health Order. Immediately, this includes the use of designated sidewalk space. Next, the City will activate parklet spaces creating an extension of the sidewalk area into the street to provide even more space. We look forward to sharing more on parklet spaces soon.