The Santa Clara County Health Department has issued a new Health Order as "risk reduction" efforts to help tackle the spread of COVID-19, but is allowing for smaller gatherings and for certain businesses to reopen.
County Health Officer Sara Cody called this an “inflection point,” when it’s clear that COVID-19 will be with us for a long time. She called the new order a “careful, measured approach.”
“It will allow many activities to occur if appropriate risk reduction measures are in place, and that includes personal care services—like haircuts—and also smaller gatherings," Dr. Cody said. "But of course, many high-risk activities simply cannot safely go forward any time soon.”
Those high-risk activities not allowed include indoor dining, indoor swimming, theaters, nightclubs and arenas.
The order strongly discourages gatherings, but allows for outdoor gatherings of up to 60 people and indoor gatherings for up to 20, with masks, of course required. A mandatory directive for gatherings will be issued soon.
The order also requires telework, new social distancing protocol requirements, capacity limitations and positive case reporting.
Santa Clara County council James Williams encouraged businesses to be entrepreneurial and creative in meeting the criteria.