New Order Issued by Ventura County Health Officer Offers Options for Businesses, Recreation, Gatherings

On April 18, the Ventura County Public Health Officer issued a new order for the County in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This order outlines the activities permitted within the County limits and the restrictions ordered for persons who reside within Ventura County. This order will be in effect from April 19 through May 15th, 2020 unless updated, extended or amended by the Ventura County Health Officer. The Health Officer will continue to assess the quickly evolving situation, may issue additional orders related to COVID-19 and will review this Order within two weeks of its effective date. 

The new Stay Well At Home order follows the same regulations as the previous orders related to Essential Businesses, Permanent Food Facilities, Grocery Stores and others providing food, beverages, and other essential products, and the requirement to post social distancing protocol in their place of business.

New Updates Include:

• Businesses are permitted to conduct activities so long as (a) there are no more than 10 employees in the facility within a 24-hour period; (b) there is no physical interaction between members of the public and employees or independent contractors; (c) members of the public are not permitted inside the facility; (d) social distancing protocols are strictly followed to the greatest extent feasible; and (e) any goods sold by the businesses shall be delivered to the purchaser's place of residence or business address, and any services must be provided remotely.
• Gatherings of six or more individuals are prohibited; individuals must maintain social distancing protocol to the greatest extnent feasible when they must gather
  • Members of a single household or living unit are permitted to engage in Essential Travel or Essential Activities together
  • Staff of organizations or associations, including faith-based organizations, may gather in a single space for the sole purpose of preparing and facilitating live-stream or other virtual communications with their members provided that the number of such staff is the fewest necessary to prepare and facilitate those communications, but in no event in excess of ten (10) persons.
• Funeral services are permitted with the following restrictions: (a) for indoor services, members of the deceased's household and the relatives of the deceased within the second degree (including in-laws) may gather for the activity provided social distancing procedures are followed and no more than five persons gather inside the facility at a single time. Stable groups of five persons may rotate within the facility; and, (b) for graveside services, members of the deceased's household and the relatives of the deceased within the second degree (including in-laws) may gather for the activity following social distancing requirements not to exceed 10 persons. 
• Wedding services are permitted provided that social distancing requirements are followed to the greatest extent feasible and that no more than 10 persons, in addition to the couple to be married and the officiant, gather in a stable group. 
• Outdoor gatherings of any size are permitted to observe or participate in live or virtual presentations to the gathering, such as faith-based services, concerts, plays, political speeches, movies and similar activities provided: (a) all activity is outdoors; (b) all persons attending the activity must be inside a motor vehicle occupied only by persons from the same household or living unit not exceeding 5 persons; (c) all motor vehicles at the gathering must maintain a six foot distancing from other vehicles; (d) motor vehicle windows must be closed at all times; (e) no restroom facilities shall be made available; (f) no tangible items of any kind, including food products, may be transferred to persons in the motor vehicles; (g) all social distancing requirements shall be complied with
• Outdoor activities permitted, provided the persons comply with Social Distancing Requirements, such as golfing, tennis, pickle-ball, walking, hiking, running, bicycling, pleasure driving and working around their place of residence, including gardening. 
• Public and private golf courses may operate provided they strictly enforce social distancing requirements and enforce the following additional protocols: (a) motorized carts are not allowed; (b) no more than four golfers allowed per group and each group must be stable; (c) a distance of at least 30 feet shall be maintained between groups; (d) all ball washers shall be covered and flag pins shall be removed and the cup on each green shall be inverted to eliminate high-frequency touch services; (e) persons may use a driving range provided that range balls are properly sanitized before distribution (stand-alone golf driving ranges may also operate); (f) practice putting greens to remain closed; (g) the "pro shop" or similar facility designed for the sale of golf-related equipment and supplies shall remain closed; and (h) the snack shop(s) and restaurant(s) shall remain closed
• Individuals are permitted to care for a family member or pet in another household
• Persons may leave their places of residence to work for or obtain services at any "healthcare operation" including hospitals, clinics, dentists, pharmacies, pharmaceutical and biotechnical companies, other licensed healthcare facilities, healthcare suppliers, home healthcare services providers, mental health providers, blood donation centers, chiropractors, acupuncturists, veterinarians and all healthcare service provided to animals; this does not include fitness and exercise gyms, aquatic centers and similar facilities. 
• Firearm stores and purchasers may engage in the actions necessary to complete firearm purchases initiated before March 20, 2020, provided that: (a) all activities, including the transfer of any firearm, occur by appointment only, and only the purchaser and one person on behalf of the store must be present; (b) the firearm store shall remain closed to the general public; and, (c) social distancing requirements shall be followed to the greatest extent feasible. 

The order outlines a partial list of non-essential businesses ordered to close, as well as non-essential activities ordered to cease. Essential Businesses, Essential Travel, and other details are explained in the order. 

For the full order and detailed explanations, please click here.