♪ It’s the holiday season ♪ and we’re here to serve you a quick & easy updated guide to California’s newest stay-at-home order. We know the pandemic is probably the last thing you want to be worried about right now, and let’s just say, we understand.
The year is (finally) coming to a close, and we are just as ready as you are to leave 2020 and the pandemic in the dust. But here’s the thing y’all: if we’re going to get to that point, the best thing we can do right now is put planning with the pandemic in mind at the top of our list.
California has imposed a new, regional, stay-at-home order that goes into effect when regional ICU capacities dip below 15%. ICU beds have dropped below this threshold already in the San Joaquin Valley and Southern California regions. Currently, five of the eleven counties in the Bay Area have decided to enact the restrictions early based on data models showing rapidly diminishing ICU capacities. Each of those five enacted a stay-at-home order as of December 6 at 10pm. For interpreting COVID-19 restrictions in any case between state and county, the stricter requirement should be followed. Let’s all work together this month to keep our friends and families safe! Who knows— your choice to be COVID-safe this year could be the reason someone lives to see next year’s holiday season.
For many of us, the stay-at-home order means big changes for holiday plans. The best way to err on the absolute utmost side of caution in following the new state order would be to limit your holiday celebrations to include only yourself and the members of your household.
Get cozy with your roommates and have a holiday movie marathon! Try baking some holiday cookies from scratch and have a household cookie decorating contest. Put on some holiday tunes and dance around while you decorate your house. Have a household gift exchange party! Honestly, the possibilities here are endless. You could even hold a virtual holiday gathering with other households to ring in the holiday cheer.
And finally, if you’re still feeling confused about all these new and quickly changing health orders, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a breakdown of what is allowed and what isn’t. Keep in mind your county or city may have stricter rules, and when conflicting rules exist, the strictest rule applies.
Social Gatherings
Under stay-at-home order
- No in-person gatherings with anyone outside your household (indoors or outdoors; at home or away from home)
- Exceptions only allowed for 1st amendment outdoor gatherings. For example, a demonstration or religious service.
Rest of state (unless your county has stated otherwise)
- Limit gatherings, but if you do gather, limit the number of households to no more than 3 with a total number of people of no more than 10, and hold the gathering outdoors, with masks, and maintain physical distance.
Travel
Under stay-at-home order
Essential travel only. Hotels and other lodging accommodations only allowed for individuals providing or receiving essential services or for helping someone quarantine or isolate because of COVID exposure.
Santa Clara County
All travel (except for essential services) is prohibited under the stay-at-home order. The County also requests individuals to quarantine when entering or returning to the county from more than 150 miles away. The county explains what essential services are exempt from the quarantine rule here.
Rest of State
See your local public health authority for more information, but the state does ask that all out-of-state travelers quarantine for 14-days when entering the state and discourages all non-essential travel, especially out of state.
Shops, Services, & Entertainment
Under stay-at-home order
Closed both indoor & outdoor:
- Personal care services like hair & nail salons
- Playgrounds
- Museums
- Bars & Wineries
- Family entertainment facilities (bowling, arcades, etc.)
- Casinos and card rooms
- at-Restaurant dining (take-out and delivery services allowed)
Allowed indoors at 20% capacity:
- Grocery stores
- Retail Stores & Shopping Centers (with no dine-in options)
Allowed indoors with restrictions:
- Critical infrastructure/services
- Offices— Allowed remote only except for critical infrastructure sectors where remote working is not possible
- Non-emergency health/dental care
Only Outdoors:
- Drive-in theaters
- Outdoor recreational facilities
- Religious services and 1st amendment gatherings
Rest of state
- Rules vary from county to county, but in general, indoor services that are non-essential are closed, essential services and retail are open indoors with capacity limits, and most services operating outdoors are generally allowed to be open when following health and safety protocols. Visit your local public health department’s website for details.
You can find links to the health orders and learn about resources to help you through the pandemic on our Coronavirus Resource Page. We’ll continue to provide more updates as they occur! In the meantime, stay safe and have a happy holiday season!