County Health Officer's June 19, 2020 Amended Order
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Orange County, California Additional Industry Re-Opening
Frequently Asked Questions
On June 11, 2020, the Acting County Health Officer issued a New Amended Health Officer Order and Strong Recommendations that applies to all of OC (both incorporated and unincorporated areas) that continued to mandate appropriate self-quarantining and isolation related to a COVID-19 diagnosis or potential exposure, and required certain actions that business and sector owners/operators to take prior to re-opening. At that time, the Acting County Health Officer made a strong recommendation related to face-coverings.
On June 18, 2020, the California Department of Public Health issued new guidance that requires most Californians to wear a face-covering in public spaces, particularly indoors or when physical distancing is not possible. More information can be found at https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/COVID-19/Guidance-for-Face-Coverings_06-18-2020.pdf. This automatically superseded the Acting County Health Officer’s June 11, 2020 Strong Recommendations related to face-coverings, as it is more restrictive. Therefore, Dr. Clayton Chau, Acting County Health Officer, issued an Amended Orders and Strong Recommendations that requires most County residents and visitors to wear face coverings in certain high-risk situations.
On June 19, 2020, Dr. Clayton Chau also approved the re-opening of certain additional industries in Orange County, California, following his review of local epidemiological data including cases per 100,000 population, rate of test positivity, and local preparedness to support a health care surge, vulnerable populations, and contact tracing and testing.
We hope the following Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) helps provide clarification related to these events:
Permitted Business Re-Opening:
Q: What businesses or activities are permitted to re-open/resume as of June 19, 2020?
A: Essential businesses, https://covid19.ca.gov/essential-workforce/. In addition, those sectors, businesses and establishments that are listed on https://covid19.ca.gov/industry-guidance/ and on https://covid19.ca.gov/roadmap-counties/ are permitted to re-open in Orange County after owners and operators review the State’s requirements as described on these website and post the related State checklist and the separate attestations specified in the Amended County Health Officer Order, dated June 19, 2020, at the entrance, in plain view of the public. For a full list of sectors and businesses that may reopen, please refer to the following two websites: https://covid19.ca.gov/industry-guidance/ and https://covid19.ca.gov/roadmap-counties/. The following are a few examples of some of the sectors listed on these websites:
- Movie theaters and family entertainment centers
- Restaurants, wineries and bars
- Zoos and museums
- Gyms and fitness centers
- Hotels (for tourism and individual travel)
- Card rooms and racetracks
- Campgrounds and outdoor recreation
- Public and HOA swimming pools
- Retail
- Restaurant takeout, delivery, and dine-in
- Office-based businesses; telework remains strongly encouraged
- Outdoor museums
- Childcare
- Shopping malls, strip malls
- Logistics and manufacturing
- Hair salons
- Church services, funerals, weddings, cultural services, and protests can resume
- Massage parlors
- Nail salons
- Tattoo parlors and piercing shops
- Estheticians, skin care, electrology and cosmetology services
- Body waxing
Q: Where can I find the State’s guidance and checklist for my business?
A: The State’s guidance documents and checklists are organized by industry type on their website at https://covid19.ca.gov/industry-guidance/ and on https://covid19.ca.gov/roadmap-counties/.
For public and HOA swimming pool industry-specific checklist posting requirements, please visit https://www.ochealthinfo.com/eh/water/pool.
Q: What shall every business posting checklist include?
A: All business and sectors that reopen must complete their corresponding checklist, as applicable, published on https://covid19.ca.gov/industry-guidance/ and on https://covid19.ca.gov/roadmap-counties/ and post it at the entrance, in plain view of the public. In addition, all businesses and sectors that reopen must also post a separate attestation by the business/sector owner or operator at the entrance, in plain view of the public that — prior to opening to the public —the business/sector has done all of the following:
- Performed a detailed risk assessment and implement a site-specific protection plan;
- Trained employees on how to limit the spread of COVID-19, including how to screen themselves for symptoms and stay home if they have them;
- Implemented individual control measures and screenings;
- Implemented disinfecting protocols; and
- Implemented physical distancing guidelines.
Q: Is there a template businesses may use to attest that they have completed the check list required to re-open and can post inside their business for customers?
A: Yes, here is the template.
Q: Do I need to submit my re-opening plan or any other document to the OC Health Care Agency for approval?
A: No, businesses and sectors are not required to submit an individual re-opening plan or any other document to OC Health Care Agency for review or approval.
Q: What businesses are not permitted to re-open open?
A: According to the State website, https://covid19.ca.gov/roadmap-counties/, the following sectors, businesses, establishments, or activities are not permitted to operate in the State of California at this time:
- Indoor playgrounds such as bounce centers, ball pits and laser tag
- Live theater
- Saunas and steam rooms
- Nightclubs
- Concert venues
- Festivals
- Theme parks
- Higher education
County of Orange - Amended Health Officer’s Orders and Strong Recommendations:
Q: What does the 6/19/20 Amended Health Officer Order say?
A: Community members are encouraged to read the Amended Orders and Strong Recommendations in its entirety here. The Amended Orders and Strong Recommendations continue to mandate appropriate self-quarantining and isolation related to a COVID-19 diagnosis or potential exposure, and actions that business and sector owners/operators must take prior to re-opening. The Acting Health Officer’s Strong Recommendation that most residents wear a cloth face-covering has been superseded by the California Department of Public Health’s June 18, 2020 guidance that requires it in certain settings (with exemptions). To learn more, please visit https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/COVID-19/Guidance-for-Face-Coverings_06-18-2020.pdf. The 6/11/20 Amended Orders and Strong Recommendations therefore requires County residents and visitors to follow the State’s guidance.
Q: What is a cloth face-covering?
A: A cloth face-covering is a material that covers the nose and mouth; it can be secured to the head with ties or straps or simply wrapped around the lower face; it can be made of a variety of materials, such as cotton, silk, or linen; and a face-covering may be factory-made or sewn by hand, or can be improvised from household items such as scarfs, T-shirts, sweatshirts, or towels.
Q: I’m a resident or visitor to Orange County. Where does the California Department of Public Health require that I wear a face-covering?
A: Anywhere you come within 6 feet of others who do not live in your household. That includes:
- Waiting in line to go inside a store
- Shopping in a store
- Picking up food at a restaurant
- Waiting for or riding on public transportation
- Riding in a taxi or other ride service vehicle
- Seeking health care
- Going into facilities that are allowed to stay open
- While at work
- When at the beach or an outdoor museum
Please visit https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/COVID-19/Guidance-for-Face-Coverings_06-18-2020.pdf for a comprehensive list.
Q: Who should not wear a face-covering?
A: Children under the age of 2; anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the cloth face-covering without assistance; as well as individuals with a medical condition, mental health condition or developmental disability that prevents it. For a full list of exemptions, please visit https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/COVID-19/Guidance-for-Face-Coverings_06-18-2020.pdf.
Q: What if I have questions about the self-quarantine or self-isolation components of the County Health Officer’s Order?
A: Please call the OC Health Care Agency’s COVID-19 Hotline at (714) 834-2000 or email ETeam@ochca.com. Community members with questions or concerns about businesses operating in non-compliance may contact their local law enforcement’s non-emergency line.
