On March 17, Sacramento County first advised residents to stay in their homes unless absolutely necessary. The county followed that advisory up with a legal order on March 19, which was originally set to extend through April 7. On April 7, the county extended it through May 1. On April 29, it was extended until May 22.
The order followed similar orders in other California counties to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The state of California issued its own order for all residents to stay in their homes on March 19.
Here's what these orders mean for Sacramento County’s more than 1.5 million residents:
As of May 5, there have been at least 1,133 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Sacramento County and 47 deaths related to the virus.
But officials have said that without more testing it's difficult to know how many cases are in the community. They say that restricting contact between people is the only way to "flatten the curve" and reduce the number of people who get sick at the peak of an outbreak, which could overwhelm the health care system.
The newest order says that the stay-at-home measures have been successful at "slowing the rate of increase in hospitalizations and deaths" and loosens some restrictions.
“While there has been some relaxation of rules as they relate to recreational activities, it is absolutely vital that we maintain social distancing,” Health Director Dr. Peter Beilenson wrote in a statement. “The intent of the order is to ensure that the maximum number of people stay home as much as possible while enabling essential services to continue, and that has been a significant factor in reducing the spread of COVID-19 in Sacramento County."
What does it mean to 'shelter in place'?
The order requires Sacramento County residents to stay in their homes unless it is absolutely essential that they leave, with certain exemptions (see below). Non-essential government and business operations will shut down, as will gatherings of any size.
When does it take effect?
The most recent legal order went into effect May 1 at 11:59 p.m. and lasts through at least 11:59 p.m. on May 22, but could be extended.
The county’s initial directive extended indefinitely before the first legal order took effect March 19.
When can I go outside? Can I walk my dog?
Engaging in essential activities is allowed (see full list below). That includes things like trips to hospitals, grocery stores, pharmacies, hardware stores, banks and gas stations.
It's OK to do things for a go for a run or walk your dog as long you practice proper social distancing, meaning you stay at least six feet away from people not in your immediate household. But that means you shouldn't closely socialize with friends or others who don't live with you (no dinner parties or play dates).
What activities am I allowed to take part in?
These are the activities listed as essential and allowed under the order:
- Activities or tasks essential to the health and safety of you or members of your family or household (including pets), like obtaining medical supplies or medication, or visiting a health care professional for medical or dental care for chronic conditions or preventive services.
- Obtaining or delivering necessary services for yourself or members of your family or household like canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet supplies, fresh meats, fish, and poultry, or cleaning products needed to maintain your home. This includes products required to work from home.
- Engaging in activities like walking, hiking, biking or running, so long as you comply with social distancing requirements. Some non-contact recreational facilities and activities that include the use of shared equipment are allowed, including shooting and archery ranges, disc golf, tennis courts and boating, provided that activities are in conformance with social distancing requirements and appropriate disinfectant processes. Contact sports or activities — including basketball, football and soccer — are prohibited outside of residences. Use of recreational facilities that encourage gathering — including outdoor gym equipment, rock parks, climbing walls, pools, spas and gyms — is prohibited outside of residences.
- Working at essential businesses, government entities and other nonprofit organizations.
- Caring for a family member or pet in another household.
- Attending a funeral with no more than 10 individuals present.
- To move to a new home, but only if it is not possible to defer an already planned move, if the move is necessitated by safety, sanitation, or habitability reasons, or if the move is necessary to preserve access to shelter.
Previously, small private gatherings were allowed, but the April 7 order banned all non-essential gatherings of any number of individuals.
Can restaurants stay open?
Restaurants can stay open for pickup or delivery. Bars, wineries, brewpubs and other non-essential businesses were already asked to shut down in guidelines issued by Gov. Gavin Newsom and Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg. Sacramento's May 1 order now allows for food trucks to reopen.
See a full list of essential businesses here.
Should I go to my medical appointments or scheduled procedures?
Under Sacramento County’s new order running through May 22, hospitals and health care providers are now allowed to reschedule appointments for care that was previously not considered urgent and was canceled. That includes elective procedures and preventative services like immunizations and other chronic conditions care.
Whether or not your appointment or procedure has been or will be canceled or rescheduled is up to your individual provider, though. Start by calling them to see if you should still come in for your appointment or procedure.
Can I take my child to daycare?
The order that went into effect April 7 says that daycares can only stay open to enable owners, employees, volunteers and contractors for essential businesses or activities to work as permitted. Children of owners, employees, volunteers and contractors who are not exempt may not attend childcare facilities. Childcare must only serve 12 or fewer children, and children can't switch between different facilities.
How will this be enforced?
The order asks that the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department and all chiefs of police in the county enforce the order, but does not list specific penalties for failing to follow the protocol.
I can't go to my job. What can I do?
Workers who have lost hours or who's workplaces have shut down due to COVID-19 can apply for unemployment insurance. So can people who have to miss work to care for a child whose school has closed. The state recently waived the one-week waiting period to apply for unemployment insurance.
Those who have missed work to care for a sick or quarantined family member may be eligible for paid family leave through the state.
More information on unemployment insurance and paid family leave available through the state is available here.
How does this affect homeless people?
People experiencing homelessness are exempted from this order, but the order urges them to find shelter and for government agencies to provide it to them. For those who are unable to find shelter, the order recommends that they stay in encampments of fewer than 10 people.
More than 5,600 people in the county are unhoused. Advocates are concerned homeless individuals could be more at risk to the coronavirus.
What else will stay open?
Here are the businesses deemed essential. The new order states that even essential businesses must follow social distancing protocols as much as possible:
- Healthcare operations (explicitly including elective procedures and surgery as long as the facility has its own personal protective equipment) and businesses that operate, maintain, or repair essential infrastructure
- Grocery stores, certified farmers’ markets, farm and produce stands, supermarkets, food banks, convenience stores, and other establishments engaged in the retail sale of unprepared food, canned food, dry goods, nonalcoholic beverages, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet supply, fresh meats, fish, and poultry, as well as hygienic products and household consumer products necessary for personal hygiene or the habitability, sanitation or operation of residences. The businesses include establishments that sell multiple categories of products provided that they sell essential products, such as liquor stores that also sell food.
- Agriculture, food, and beverage cultivation, processing and distribution, including but not limited to, farming, ranching, fishing, dairies, creameries, wineries and breweries in order to preserve inventory and production (not for retail business)
- Businesses that provide food, shelter, social services and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals
- Construction
- Newspapers, television, radio and other media services
- Gas stations and auto supply, auto repair and maintenance and automotive dealerships
- Bicycle repair and supply shops
- Banks and related financial institutions
- Service providers that enable residential transactions (including rentals, leases and home sales), including, but not limited to, real estate agents, escrow agents, notaries and title companies, provided that appointments and other residential viewings must only occur virtually or, if a virtual viewing is not feasible, by appointment with no more than two visitors at a time residing within the same household or living unit and one individual showing the unit. These services must be carried out in compliance with social distancing requirements as defined in this order, to the extent possible
- Hardware stores
- Plumbers, electricians, exterminators and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the habitability, sanitation and operation of residences and essential businesses, but not for cosmetic or other purposes
- Arborists, landscapers, gardeners and similar service professionals, but only to the limited extent necessary to maintain the habitability, sanitation, operation of businesses or residences, or the safety of residents, employees, or the public (such as fire safety or tree trimming to prevent a dangerous condition)
- Businesses providing mailing and shipping services, including post office boxes
- Educational institutions, including public and private K-12 schools, colleges, and universities, for purposes of facilitating distance learning or performing essential functions, provided that social distancing of six-feet per person is maintained to the greatest extent possible
- Laundromats, dry cleaners and laundry service providers
- Restaurants and other facilities (including food trucks) that prepare and serve food, but only for delivery or carry out.
- Schools and other organizations that typically provide free food services to students or members of the public may continue to do so if the food is provided to students or members of the public for pick-up only. Food can't be eaten at the site where it is provided, or at any other gathering site.
- Businesses that supply products needed for people to work from home
- Funeral home providers, mortuaries, cemeteries and crematoriums, to the extent necessary for the transport, preparation or processing of bodies or remains
- Businesses that supply other essential businesses with the support or supplies necessary to operate, but only to support those businesses.
- Businesses that have the primary function of shipping or delivering groceries, food or other goods directly to residences or businesses.
- Airlines, taxis, rental car companies, rideshare services (including shared bicycles and scooters) and other private transportation providers providing transportation services necessary for essential activities.
- Home-based care for seniors, adults, children and pets.
- Residential facilities and shelters for seniors, adults and children
- Professional services, such as legal, notary or accounting services, when necessary to assist in compliance with nonelective, legally required activities
- Services to assist individuals in finding employment with essential businesses
- Moving services that facilitate residential or commercial moves that are allowed.
- Childcare facilities providing services that enable owners, employees, volunteers and contractors for essential businesses or activities to work as permitted. Children of owners, employees, volunteers and contractors who are not exempt may not attend childcare facilities.
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