| 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. |
Where are the 2 cases?
Ann, the health department is not providing that information at this time. Don’t even know if it is north county, south county or coastal
So sorry you all are having to go through all of this. I’m pretty sure it will be hitting us here as bad later. At least you get quarantined in a beautiful place!