'Shelter in Place' orders declared for Oakland and all of East Bay - COVID-19

The City of Oakland and Alameda County joined other Bay Area counties on a legal order directing their respective residents to 'Shelter in Place' for three weeks beginning on March 17. The order limits activity, travel and business functions to only the most essential needs. The guidance comes after substantial input from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and best practices from other health officials around the world.

I am sharing the full text of the directive below; for more information from Alameda County, see this link: https://www.acphd.org/2019-ncov.

This is serious. But the measures that the county and other counties are taking, in addition to the measures coming down from the State, have been put in place to protect the public’s health and to prevent this health emergency from harming many more residents and overwhelming our vital health system.

Please know that essential services will remain. You do not need to go out right now to shop for food - our food supply chain is healthy and strong – there is no need to panic. Grocery stores, pet food stores, pharmacies, banks and any business on which people rely to keep themselves, their families and their pets healthy will remain open. Each jurisdiction is now making decisions about which services to keep in place. Oakland is now determining which city departments will remain open or partially open, and which shall need to suspend services to support the shelter in place directive.

We can still go out for a walk together in one of the East Bay's beautiful parks. We can support our local small businesses by ordering takeout, ordering online (from local Oakland businesses), ordering gift cards. Social distancing does not necessarily mean social isolation – modern technology means that we can stay in communication with our families, neighbors, co-workers and loved ones.

I want to call attention to the needs of our senior population, especially those with underlying health conditions. If you have a loved one who is a senior citizen – a neighbor or friend – contact them. Yes, we need to shelter-in-place, but if you need to support an elderly neighbor or friend, bring them food or necessary medical supplies, practice caution and good hygiene and provide necessary support. If you or a loved one lives at an assisted living or other senior residential facility, please keep in contact with your loved ones remotely and check to see if the facility is abiding by the best practice protocol of serving meals in individual rooms, not in shared dining rooms. 

The Alameda County Community Food Bank and Meals on Wheels need volunteers. If you are able, and have no symptoms, please contact Alameda County Community Food Bank or Meals on Wheels. And if you are eligible, now is always a good time to donate blood at the Red Cross Blood Bank (at 6230 Claremont Ave. in North Oakland). 

We know that Oakland has many vulnerable residents at all times; now their vulnerability increases. Alameda County is securing new locations for many of our unsheltered residents. Oakland, along with other cities across the Bay Area have called upon the state to issue a moratorium on evictions. Councilmember Kalb is also calling for a moratorium on both residential and small business evictions and a moratorium on rent increases on small businesses and on renters impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. 

This is an opportunity for us as a city to live up to our values. Even if we feel that we are not sick, we still must adhere to the protocols put in place. This will impact some people more than others. We are in this together. By taking these measures it will help those who are most vulnerable and prevent what could be a much more profound crisis. 

Given the rapidly changing nature of this emergency, the City of Oakland has created a webpage for timely updates at this link:  https://www.oaklandca.gov/resources/updates-on-covid-19-outbreak. You will see a link on this page to sign up for email updates - please sign up.

FAQs: https://www.acphd.org/media/559828/faqs-order-shelter-in-place-20200316.pdf

OUSD closes schools; Provides Breakfast And Lunch For Students. Oakland Schools are closed until at least April 5, 2020; OUSD hopes to be able to resume instruction on Monday, April 6th, 2020. During this period, each school will receive a deep cleaning. Also during the closure, OUSD Nutrition Services Department will open twelve school locations throughout the city where â€œGrab and Go” breakfast and lunch meals will be available for all students 18 and under. Please bring a grocery bag or cooler to bring food home for the week.

When:

• Mondays: 8:00-12:00 (3 breakfasts/3 lunches per student)
• Thursdays: 8:00-12:00 (2 breakfasts/2 lunches per student)

Where:

• Northwest/West Oakland: Sankofa Elementary, West Oakland Middle School and Hoover Elementary
• Central Oakland: Oakland High School and Garfield Elementary
• East Oakland: Bret Harte Middle School, Life Academy/United for Success, Coliseum College Preparatory Academy, Madison Park Upper, Fremont High School, Castlemont High School and Elmhurst United Middle School

Support to local businesses and workers:  The City has launched a web page (www.oaklandbusinesscenter.com) to serve as a portal for all the local, state and federal resources available to support small businesses and workers during this crisis. Resources include assistance with small business payments, loan programs, worker benefits programs, and other direct business support. As new resources come available they will be added to the web page. 

If you are a business, nonprofit or self-employed individual that’s been impacted by COVID-19, please fill out the COVID-19 Business Impact Survey here: https://oaklandca.formstack.com/forms/covid19_business_impact_data_survey. This survey serves as the intake method for businesses seeking assistance.

Protecting people’s homes. City Council took steps to halt evictions for those who’ve lost income due to the pandemic [https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/03/12/coronavirus-oakland-city-council-takes-first-steps-to-halt-evictions/]. Here is the Governor's most recent executive order dealing with home protections: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2020/03/16/governor-newsom-issues-executive-order-to-protect-renters-and-homeowners-during-covid-19-pandemic/

Protecting unsheltered Oaklanders. Yesterday Governor Newsom announced that homeless Californians should be directed to shelters. Oakland staff and Alameda County are working hard to comply with his directive - on top of the measure that have already been launched to protect Oakland's homeless population:

• Shelters, community cabins, and RV parking sites: Oakland is increasing access to cleaning and sanitation supplies and increased servicing of toilets and hand-washing stations.
• Curbside and other outdoor encampments: Oakland has doubled the number of encampment sites that are equipped with toilets, sanitizer, and hand washing stations. Garbage will also be picked up more frequently.
• The City has purchased 2300 individual hand sanitizers for distribution to unsheltered residents and guidance on best practices to reduce the risk of disease transmission on the street is being shared.

-Dan K.

ORDER OF THE HEALTH OFFICER OF THE COUNTY OF ALAMEDA DIRECTING ALL INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN THE COUNTY TO SHELTER AT THEIR PLACE OF RESIDENCE EXCEPT THAT THEY MAY LEAVE TO PROVIDE OR RECEIVE CERTAIN ESSENTIAL SERVICES OR ENGAGE IN CERTAIN ESSENTIAL ACTIVITIES AND WORK FOR ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES AND GOVERNMENTAL SERVICES; EXEMPTING INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS FROM THE SHELTER IN PLACE ORDER BUT URGING THEM TO FIND SHELTER AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO PROVIDE IT; DIRECTING ALL BUSINESSES AND GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES TO CEASE NON-ESSENTIAL OPERATIONS AT PHYSICAL LOCATIONS IN THE COUNTY; PROHIBITING ALL NON-ESSENTIAL GATHERINGS OF ANY NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS; AND ORDERING CESSATION OF ALL NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL

DATE OF ORDER: MARCH 16, 2020 

Please read this Order carefully. Violation of or failure to comply with this Order is a misdemeanor punishable by fine, imprisonment, or both. (California Health and Safety Code § 120295, et seq.)

UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF CALIFORNIA HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE SECTIONS 101040, 101085, AND 120175, THE HEALTH OFFICER OF THE COUNTY OF ALAMEDA (“HEALTH OFFICER”) ORDERS:

1. The intent of this Order is to ensure that the maximum number of people self-isolate in their places of residence to the maximum extent feasible, while enabling essential services to continue, to slow the spread of COVID-19 to the maximum extent possible. When people need to leave their places of residence, whether to obtain or perform vital services, or to otherwise facilitate authorized activities necessary for continuity of social and commercial life, they should at all times reasonably possible comply with Social Distancing Requirements as defined in Section 10 below. All provisions of this Order should be interpreted to effectuate this intent. Failure to comply with any of the provisions of this Order constitutes an imminent threat to public health.

2. All individuals currently living within the County of Alameda (the “County”) are ordered to shelter at their place of residence. To the extent individuals are using shared or outdoor spaces, they must at all times as reasonably possible maintain social distancing of at least six feet from any other person when they are outside their residence. All persons may leave their residences only for Essential Activities, Essential Governmental Functions, or to operate Essential Businesses, all as defined in Section 10. Individuals experiencing homelessness are exempt from this Section, but are strongly urged to obtain shelter, and governmental and other entities are strongly urged to make such shelter available as soon as possible and to the maximum extent practicable (and to utilize Social Distancing Requirements in their operation).

3. All businesses with a facility in the County, except Essential Businesses as defined below in Section 10, are required to cease all activities at facilities located within the County except Minimum Basic Operations, as defined in Section 10. For clarity, businesses may also continue operations consisting exclusively of employees or contractors performing activities at their own residences (i.e., working from home). All Essential Businesses are strongly encouraged to remain open. To the greatest extent feasible, Essential Businesses shall comply with Social Distancing Requirements as defined in Section 10 below, including, but not limited to, when any customers are standing in line.

4. All public and private gatherings of any number of people occurring outside a household or living unit are prohibited, except for the limited purposes as expressly permitted in Section 10. Nothing in this Order prohibits the gathering of members of a household or living unit.

5. All travel, including, but not limited to, travel on foot, bicycle, scooter, motorcycle, automobile, or public transit, except Essential Travel and Essential Activities as defined below in Section 10, is prohibited. People must use public transit only for purposes of performing Essential Activities or to travel to and from work to operate Essential Businesses or maintain Essential Governmental Functions. People riding on public transit must comply with Social Distancing Requirements as defined in Section 10 below, to the greatest extent feasible. This Order allows travel into or out of the County to perform Essential Activities, operate Essential Businesses, or maintain Essential Governmental Functions.

6. This Order is issued based on evidence of increasing occurrence of COVID-19 within the County and throughout the Bay Area, scientific evidence and best practices regarding the most effective approaches to slow the transmission of communicable diseases generally and COVID-19 specifically, and evidence that the age, condition, and health of a significant portion of the population of the County places it at risk for serious health complications, including death, from COVID-19. Due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus in the general public, which is now a pandemic according to the World Health Organization, there is a public health emergency throughout the County. Making the problem worse, some individuals who contract the COVID-19 virus have no symptoms or have mild symptoms, which means they may not be aware they carry the virus. Because even people without symptoms can transmit the disease, and because evidence shows the disease is easily spread, gatherings can result in preventable transmission of the virus. The scientific evidence shows that at this stage of the emergency, it is essential to slow virus transmission as much as possible to protect the most vulnerable and to prevent the health care system from being overwhelmed. One proven way to slow the transmission is to limit interactions among people to the greatest extent practicable. By reducing the spread of the COVID-19 virus, this Order helps preserve critical and limited healthcare capacity in the County.

7. This Order also is issued in light of the existence of 15 cases of COVID-19 in the County, as well as at least 258 confirmed cases and at least three deaths in the seven Bay Area jurisdictions jointly issuing this Order, as of 5 p.m. on March 15, 2020, including a significant and increasing number of suspected cases of community transmission and likely further significant increases in transmission. Widespread testing for COVID-19 is not yet available but is expected to increase in the coming days. This Order is necessary to slow the rate of spread and the Health Officer will re-evaluate it as further data becomes available.

8. This Order is issued in accordance with, and incorporates by reference, the March 4, 2020 Proclamation of a State of Emergency issued by Governor Gavin Newsom, the Declarations of Local Health Emergency issued by the Health Officer on March 1 and 5, the March 10, 2020 Resolution of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Alameda Ratifying the Declarations of Local Health Emergency, and Governor Newsom’s March 12, 2020 Executive Order N-25-20.

9. This Order comes after the release of substantial guidance from the County Health Officer, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the California Department of Public Health, and other public health officials throughout the United States and around the world, including a variety of prior orders to combat the spread and harms of COVID-19. The Health Officer will continue to assess the quickly evolving situation and may modify or extend this Order, or issue additional Orders, related to COVID-19.

10. Definitions and Exemptions. 

a. For purposes of this Order, individuals may leave their residence only to perform any of the following “Essential Activities.” But people at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and people who are sick are urged to stay in their residence to the extent possible except as necessary to seek medical care.

i. To engage in activities or perform tasks essential to their health and safety, or to the health and safety of their family or household members (including, but not limited to, pets), such as, by way of example only and without limitation, obtaining medical supplies or medication, visiting a health care professional, or obtaining supplies they need to work from home.

ii. To obtain necessary services or supplies for themselves and their family or household members, or to deliver those services or supplies to others, such as, by way of example only and without limitation, canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet supply, fresh meats, fish, and poultry, and any other household consumer products, and products necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences.

iii. To engage in outdoor activity, provided the individuals comply with Social Distancing Requirements as defined in this Section, such as, by way of example and without limitation, walking, hiking, or running.

iv. To perform work providing essential products and services at an Essential Business or to otherwise carry out activities specifically permitted in this Order, including Minimum Basic Operations.

v. To care for a family member or pet in another household.

b. For purposes of this Order, individuals may leave their residence to work for or obtain services at any “Healthcare Operations” including hospitals, clinics, dentists, pharmacies, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, other healthcare facilities, healthcare suppliers, home healthcare services providers, mental health providers, or any related and/or ancillary healthcare services. “Healthcare Operations” also includes veterinary care and all healthcare services provided to animals. This exemption shall be construed broadly to avoid any impacts to the delivery of healthcare, broadly defined. “Healthcare Operations” does not include fitness and exercise gyms and similar facilities.

c. For purposes of this Order, individuals may leave their residence to provide any services or perform any work necessary to the operations and maintenance of “Essential Infrastructure,” including, but not limited to, public works construction, construction of housing (in particular affordable housing or housing for individuals experiencing homelessness), airport operations, water, sewer, gas, electrical, oil refining, roads and highways, public transportation, solid waste collection and removal, internet, and telecommunications systems (including the provision of essential global, national, and local infrastructure for computing services, business infrastructure, communications, and web-based services), provided that they carry out those services or that work in compliance with Social Distancing Requirements as defined this Section, to the extent possible.

d. For purposes of this Order, all first responders, emergency management personnel, emergency dispatchers, court personnel, and law enforcement personnel, and others who need to perform essential services are categorically exempt from this Order. Further, nothing in this Order shall prohibit any individual from performing or accessing “Essential Governmental Functions,” as determined by the governmental entity performing those functions. Each governmental entity shall identify and designate appropriate employees or contractors to continue providing and carrying out any Essential Governmental Functions. All Essential Governmental Functions shall be performed in compliance with Social Distancing Requirements as defined in this Section, to the extent possible.

e. For the purposes of this Order, covered businesses include any for-profit, non-profit, or educational entities, regardless of the nature of the service, the function they perform, or its corporate or entity structure.

f. For the purposes of this Order, “Essential Businesses” means: 

i. Healthcare Operations and Essential Infrastructure;

ii. Grocery stores, certified farmers’ markets, farm and produce stands, supermarkets, food banks, convenience stores, and other establishments engaged in the retail sale of canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet supply, fresh meats, fish, and poultry, and any other household consumer products (such as cleaning and personal care products). This includes stores that sell groceries and also sell other non-grocery products, and products necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences;

iii. Food cultivation, including farming, livestock, and fishing;

iv. Businesses that provide food, shelter, and social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals;

v. Newspapers, television, radio, and other media services;

vi. Gas stations and auto-supply, auto-repair, and related facilities;

vii. Banks and related financial institutions;

viii. Hardware stores;

ix. Plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences, Essential Activities, and Essential Businesses;

x. Businesses providing mailing and shipping services, including post office boxes;

xi. 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;

xii. Laundromats, drycleaners, and laundry service providers;

xiii. Restaurants and other facilities that prepare and serve food, but only for delivery or carry out. Schools and other entities that typically provide free food services to students or members of the public may continue to do so under this Order on the condition that the food is provided to students or members of the public on a pick-up and take-away basis only. Schools and other entities that provide food services under this exemption shall not permit the food to be eaten at the site where it is provided, or at any other gathering site;

xiv. Businesses that supply products needed for people to work from home;

xv. Businesses that supply other essential businesses with the support or supplies necessary to operate;

xvi. Businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food, goods or services directly to residences;

xvii. Airlines, taxis, and other private transportation providers providing transportation services necessary for Essential Activities and other purposes expressly authorized in this Order;

xviii. Home-based care for seniors, adults, or children;

xix. Residential facilities and shelters for seniors, adults, and children;

xx. Professional services, such as legal or accounting services, when necessary to assist in compliance with legally mandated activities;

xxi. Childcare facilities providing services that enable employees exempted in this Order to work as permitted. To the extent possible, childcare facilities must operate under the following mandatory conditions: 

1. Childcare must be carried out in stable groups of 12 or fewer (“stable” means that the same 12 or fewer children are in the same group each day).

2. Children shall not change from one group to another.

3. If more than one group of children is cared for at one facility, each group shall be in a separate room. Groups shall not mix with each other.

4. Childcare providers shall remain solely with one group of children.

g. For the purposes of this Order, “Minimum Basic Operations” include the following, provided that employees comply with Social Distancing Requirements as defined this Section, to the extent possible, while carrying out such operations: 

i. The minimum necessary activities to maintain the value of the business’s inventory, ensure security, process payroll and employee benefits, or for related functions.

ii. The minimum necessary activities to facilitate employees of the business being able to continue to work remotely from their residences.

h. For the purposes of this Order, “Essential Travel” includes travel for any of the following purposes. Individuals engaged in any Essential Travel must comply with all Social Distancing Requirements as defined in this Section below. 

i. Any travel related to the provision of or access to Essential Activities, Essential Governmental Functions, Essential Businesses, or Minimum Basic Operations.

ii. Travel to care for elderly, minors, dependents, persons with disabilities, or other vulnerable persons.

iii. Travel to or from educational institutions for purposes of receiving materials for distance learning, for receiving meals, and any other related services.

iv. Travel to return to a place of residence from outside the jurisdiction.

v. Travel required by law enforcement or court order.

vi. Travel required for non-residents to return to their place of residence outside the County. Individuals are strongly encouraged to verify that their transportation out of the County remains available and functional prior to commencing such travel.

i. For purposes of this Order, residences include hotels, motels, shared rental units and similar facilities.

j. For purposes of this Order, “Social Distancing Requirements” includes maintaining at least six-foot social distancing from other individuals, washing hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds as frequently as possible or using hand sanitizer, covering coughs or sneezes (into the sleeve or elbow, not hands), regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces, and not shaking hands.

11. Pursuant to Government Code sections 26602 and 41601 and Health and Safety Code section 101029, the Health Officer requests that the Sheriff and all chiefs of police in the County ensure compliance with and enforce this Order. The violation of any provision of this Order constitutes an imminent threat to public health.

12. This Order shall become effective at 12:01 a.m. on March 17, 2020 and will continue to be in effect until 11:59 p.m. on April 7, 2020, or until it is extended, rescinded, superseded, or amended in writing by the Health Officer.

13. Copies of this Order shall promptly be: (1) made available at the County Administration Building at 1225 Oak Street, Oakland, California 94612; (2) posted on the County Public Health Department’s website (acphd.org); and (3) provided to any member of the public requesting a copy of this Order.

14. If any provision of this Order to the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held to be invalid, the reminder of the Order, including the application of such part or provision to other persons or circumstances, shall not be affected and shall continue in full force and effect. To this end, the provisions of this Order are severable. 

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