Health order restricting large gatherings

Due to the rapid rise of COVID cases in our community, Sonoma County Health Officer Dr. Sundari Mase issued a health order prohibiting large gatherings effective 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12 through Friday, Feb. 11.

Large gatherings of more than 50 people indoors, or more than 100 people outdoors (where social distancing is not feasible), are prohibited for the duration of the order.

The health order also specifies that gatherings of individuals who are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 must be limited to no more than 12 people, except for family gatherings.

A “gathering” for purposes of this Order is any public or private event or convening that brings people together in a single room or single space at the same time, such as an auditorium, gymnasium, stadium, arena, large conference room, wedding venue, meeting hall, or any other indoor or outdoor space. These gatherings may have either assigned or unassigned seating, and may be either general admission or gated, ticketed, and permitted events.

For the purposes of this Order, a “large gathering” does not include attendance at work, courthouses, places of worship, cafeterias, or any venue that is open to public circulation as part of its regular operations such as shopping malls, stores, restaurants/food facilities, and museums. This Order does not apply to regular school instructional events such as daily classes or outdoor recess.

Additionally, Dr. Mase is issued an appeal to residents to stay home as much as possible for the next 30 days and limit interactions with those outside of their immediate household. A video of Dr. Mase’s appeal can be viewed on YouTube at https://youtu.be/TWFmAdRAiZg

Read the County’s Press Release https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/CAO/Press-Releases/Appeal-for-residents-to-voluntarily-stay-home-restricts-large-gatherings/

Read the County’s Health Order https://socoemergency.org/order-of-the-health-officer-c19-35/