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Health & Human Services - COVID-19 Order FAQs

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1. What happened?

On Thursday, March 19, Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order requiring Californians to stay home in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19, except for essential needs. Find current state information on COVID-19, including case data and resources, here. 

The Placer County Health Officer had issued a directive earlier on March 19 followed by an order on April 10 which was amended April 16. The local order was allowed to expire on May 1 at 11:59 p.m.

However, the statewide order still applies to Placer County. For most people, this means you and those you live with should stay home or at their place of residence, except for permitted work, local shopping or other permitted errands, or as otherwise authorized.

2. What does the expiration of the local health officer's stay-at-home order mean?

Because Governor Newsom’s statewide order still applies to Placer County, residents must continue to stay home except for essential needs. 

The expiration of the local order aims to remove any confusion over areas of difference between the state order. This transition will allow a local focus on planning for a phased reopening in partnership with local governments, health care, business and other stakeholders, as well as regional and state partners.  

3. How long will the state order last?

The state order is currently in place until further notice or until it is extended, rescinded, superseded, or amended in writing by the governor.

The health officer has allowed the local county order to expire, but the state order still applies.

4. Is the state order mandatory or just guidance?

The state order is mandatory. 

5. What is the difference between “staying at home" and “social distancing"?

Staying home is a rigorous form of social distancing. Staying at home means:

• Only going out for “essential activities," to work for an “essential business," or for “essential travel" as those terms are defined in the Order,
• Stay 6 feet or more away from others (physical distancing)
• No formal gathering

The other principles of social distancing and mitigative hygiene will continue to be applied whenever feasible. These include washing hands, using hand sanitizer, disinfecting surfaces, not going out if sick, and staying at least six feet away from others.

6. Am I allowed to leave my home at this time?

Yes. Learn more on the state’s website.

7. Can I still go outside for a walk or hike?

Per the state, Californians can walk, run, hike and bike in their local neighborhoods as long as they continue to practice social distancing of 6 feet. This means avoiding crowded trails & parking lots.

8. Should I stock up on necessities such as food and medicines?

No. You will continue to be able to purchase these items whenever you need them, as stores selling necessary items like grocery stores, pharmacies, and hardware stores will remain open. Please continue to buy normal quantities of these items. This will ensure that there is enough for everyone. If someone in your household gets COVID-19, everyone will need to stay home for two weeks, so it is a good idea to have 2 weeks of food and supplies on hand, but more is not necessary.

9. Are all business, offices and stores required to stay closed?

No. Visit Reopen Placer for updates and to find guidance for those businesses that may reopen.

10. How do I know if my business is "essential" under the state order?

Visit the "Can I Reopen?" page on the Reopen Placer website to determine if a business can open.

11. What about short-term rentals?

Short-term rentals may reopen as soon as June 12. Follow this guidance for hotels for tourism and individual travel to create a safer environment for workers and patrons.

12. What if I see a businesses still operating out of compliance in Placer County?

If you have concerns about businesses that are not adequately incorporating social distancing or adhering with the state Executive Order, please email [email protected] so that the county or our partners can reach out to provide guidance and education. We will evaluate and prioritize response based on risk level. For restaurant or tattoo parlor issues, complete an Environmental Health complaint.

13. Can the county "reopen"?

If the State has not yet released guidance for a sector, then that sector cannot yet be reopened at the local level. Officials in counties with attestations, such as Placer, determine when specific sectors of their economy can reopen if state guidance has been posted. It is up to the local jurisdiction to make decisions regarding reopening specific sectors based upon the epidemiology and readiness of the county.

Visit the Reopen Placer website to find guidance and information for those businesses that are currently allowed to reopen. 

14. Are drive-in activities, such as modified church or graduations, permitted?

According to the California Department of Public Health: "Drive in activities are permissible as long as all public health precautions [are taken], social distancing is maintained and only members of the same household are in the same car."

15. What about preventive and other deferred health care services?

Per the state, preventive care services and other deferred services can now take place if hospitals have enough capacity and protective equipment to do so safely.  

Local orders, which have expired, never prohibited health care services of any kind.

16. Do I have to wear a face covering?

Starting June 18, Californians must wear face coverings in common and public indoor spaces and outdoors when distancing is not possible. Learn more about the guidance and limited exceptions here. Read some Face Covering FAQs here.

17. Can I go on vacation?

According to the California Department of Public Health:

You can travel for urgent matters or if such travel is essential to your permitted work. Even though businesses around the state are opening up, avoid travelling long distances for vacations or pleasure as much as possible. This is to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Do not travel if you are sick, or if someone in your household has had coronavirus in the last two weeks. Do not travel with someone who is sick.

Before travelling away from your community, consider these questions from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) travel guidance:

• Is coronavirus spreading where you are traveling?
• Are you or those you are traveling with more likely to get very sick from coronavirus?
• Will you be able to keep 6 feet of physical distance from others during or after your trip?

If you do travel, take steps to keep everyone safe like wearing a face cloth covering, keeping 6 feet of physical distance from those not in your household, and washing your hands frequently.  

18. Are youth sports permitted to resume at this time?

The County of Placer has received a number of inquiries regarding the status of team sports under the Governor’s Stay at Home Order and has received the following clarifications from the California Department of Public Health: 

"Youth sports are not currently permitted. Guidance specific to youth sports will be issued later in Stage 3."

"Drills, that do not involve team contact are permitted in counties with a variance to the extent that they can comply with the gyms/fitness studios guidance." 

"Sports camps doing drills only are permitted so long as they can so the drills within the gyms/fitness studio guidance."

Local groups that choose to resume non-contact conditioning drills should adhere to these adapted guidelines, informed by a scan of how other California communities are approaching this activity: 

• All participants must remain at least 6 feet apart at all times during the training, as well as before and after.
• Groups must be limited to no more than 12 participants, including coaching staff.
• Participants cannot transfer between groups; once a group is established, they must remain together throughout a training session and across multiple training sessions.
• Face coverings that cover the nose and mouth are required for coaches/instructors.
• No spectators are permitted.
• It is preferable for all participants to bring their own equipment and not share equipment during the activity. If equipment must be shared (e.g., a ball), it must not be shared between groups and must be disinfected after each training session.
• Outdoor activities are highly preferable to indoor activities.
• All participants must be screened for symptoms upon arrival to each training session. Anyone currently experiencing fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, muscle aches, sore throat, runny nose or congestion, loss of taste or smell, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea is not permitted to participate and should be sent home immediately.
• Hand sanitizer must be made readily available at the training site.
• Shared surfaces must be cleaned after each training session.
• Participants should bring their own water or other beverages and not share beverages with others.
• Participants should limit their participation to only one sport/activity (e.g., training for either baseball or soccer, but not both).

19. Where can I share feedback regarding the state order?

Members of the public can reach out to the Governor’s Office of Constituent Affairs: https://govapps.gov.ca.gov/gov40mail/ (phone number included)