Day: March 17, 2020

CA State Parks closes all state campgrounds

For Immediate Release: 3/17/2020

California State Parks Temporarily Closes All Campgrounds in the State Park System: Non-campground outdoor areas of parks, including trails and beaches remain open.

Contact:
Newsroom@parks.ca.gov

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California State Parks announced today the temporary closure of all campgrounds in the state park system to support state and local efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus).

As of today, non-campground outdoor areas of parks, including trails and beaches, remain open. Visitors are reminded to practice social distancing and maintain at least six feet between other visitors and anyone who is coughing or sneezing. Restrooms also remain open, and visitors are advised to take soap for hand washing and alcohol-based hand sanitizers when water is not available. 

Most importantly, State Parks recommends that everyone follow precautionary guidance issued by the California Department of Public Health, public local health agencies, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention when recreating in the outdoors.

Last week, State Parks temporarily suspended guided tours and large events, and temporarily closed facilities such as visitor centers and museums.

State Parks is monitoring the COVID-19 situation carefully and is committed to following the state’s updated policy on social gatherings to help slow the spread of COVID-19. For the most up-to-date information on how State Parks is supporting the state’s COVID-19 efforts, please follow State Parks on its social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Shelter in place order issued by MoCo

For Immediate ReleaseMarch 17, 2020
Monterey County Public Health Officer Issues Shelter in Place Order
With the confirmation of Monterey County’s first two cases of COVID-19 and increasing cases statewide, Public Health Officer Dr. Ed Moreno is issuing a Shelter in Place Order for all residents of Monterey County to enhance measures already being taken to slow the spread of novel coronavirus in our county and preserve critical health care capacity.
The order announced by Moreno will begin at tonight at Midnight, March 18, 2020 and last for three weeks, until Midnight on April 8, 2020.
“Temporarily making these drastic changes to our lives and routines maybe frustrating, but it is critical to slowing the spread of this virus,” says Dr. Ed Moreno, Monterey County’s Public Health Doctor. “We must weigh the loss of some freedoms we enjoy with the ability to separate healthy people who may not show symptoms from those at risk who may be inadvertently exposed. “
This order is similar to ones issued yesterday by six San Francisco Bay area counties, limiting activity, travel and business function to the most essential needs; essential businesses and operations should remain open. This order does not affect essential government services – services to protect the health, safety and welfare of communities. It also makes provision for our agricultural community and fieldworkers who keep food in our markets and on our table, and provide other products for personal consumption.The term “shelter in place” is a more rigorous form of ‘social distancing.” The goal is to limit groups congregating together to stop the further spread the virus; it is not a complete social shutdown. It means to stay in your home and not leave unless necessary for one of the designated exceptions. For most people, this means you and those you live with should remain at home.
You can leave your home for specified reasons to make sure you have the necessities of life such as getting food and medical supplies. You are also allowed to go outside to take care of pets, go on a walk, and just get outside, so long as you do not congregate in a group and maintain at least six feet of distance between you and other people.
Please continue to practice the other precautionary measures such as handwashing and using sanitizer and if you are sick you should self-isolate, including, to the extent you can, from others you live with.If you have specific questions about what activities are covered under the Order, check out the Shelter in Place FAQs on the Monterey County Health Department webpage www.mtyhd.org/covid19.####During times like this, as information from our public health experts is evolving as conditions change, it’s  important to stay informed with accurate information. Trusted sources of information are listed below:
Monterey County Health DepartmentCalifornia Department of Public HealthCenters for Disease ControlWorld Health OrganizationCall the 211 information and referral hotline with specific questionsThanks for your vigilance, please check in on your neighbors and support one another, and stay healthy. My staff and I are working diligently to support the County’s response. 
– Team JaneJane Parker, Kristi Markey, Wendy Root Askew, and Lori ChappellMonterey County Board of Supervisors, District 4
PS: Let us know if you have questions or concerns. We will be forwarding all feedback to the Emergency Operations Communication team so that they can provide additional information on the County Health Department COVID website. Please check back there regularly for updates. 

Big Sur and COVID-19

Dear Community Members,

Big Sur Chamber of Commerce, Big Sur Health Center, Esalen Institute Community Liaison, Big Sur Fire, Monterey County Sheriff and the Community Association of Big Sur met today to check in and where possible, coordinate our organizational efforts to help sustain the Big Sur community during the global pandemic.

In an effort to be proactive in addressing community concerns at the onset of this emerging public health crisis, leadership from the community non-profits above met to reconnect lines of communication established during past incidents. It is important to note that as of this moment, there are no known cases of COVID-19 in the Big Sur planning area.

At this time, it is suggested that community members:

  • Stock up on basic food supplies and prescriptions.
  • Reach out to your neighbors to check on their status.
  • Wash your hands and maintain social distancing.
  • Remember our local stores are stocked saving a trip to town. 

We also recommend utilizing reliable official sources of information to base your decision making on such as the following links: 

Big Sur Fire Chief Matt Harris has asked Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) leaders Martha Karstens and Hal Latta request their members to conduct neighborhood outreach to establish who in Big Sur is sheltering in place and their current needs.  CERT may play an important support role as issues from this event emerge.

As this global emergency unfolds, the leadership group that met yesterday will continue to collaborate, provide updates and when appropriate take actions to help support the Big Sur community.

Sincerely,

Butch Kronlund Community Association of Big Sur. Kirk Gafill Big Sur Chamber of Commerce, Matt Harris Big Sur Fire, Sharen Carey Big Sur Health Center, Lacy Shannon Esalen Institute Community Liaison