News

Humboldt County's Joint Information Center sent out a press release this afternoon clarifying how Gov. Gavin Newsom's modified stay-at-home order changes things here in Humboldt. (Spoiler alert: not much.)

The modified order allows some real estate work to resume, bicycle shops to re-open and faith based social services to resume, all as "essential" activities. It also clarifies what types of outdoor recreation are allowable, while still practicing social distancing with everyone who is not a member of your household.

Check out the full press release below.

May 1, 2020 - Statewide Stay-at-Home Order Updated: Most Activities Already Allowed in Humboldt
707-441-5000 ; [email protected] ; Monday-Friday 8am to 7pm ; Saturday 10am to 5pm Opens in new window
California Governor Gavin Newsom further clarified the state’s Stay-at-Home Order in a series of posts and statements yesterday, though many of the activities mentioned are already allowed in Humboldt County.

Clarifications to essential services pertain to real estate, bicycle shops and faith-based social services. A summary is listed below.

Real estate: Residential and commercial real estate workers are limited to scheduled property viewings to a potential buying party. This does not extend to open-house viewings, nor viewings with more than one buying party at a time.
Bicycle sales and services: Clarified as an essential service.
Faith-based social services: Services for seniors, people experiencing homelessness, those with substance use disorders and those with behavioral health needs are clarified as essential services.
Humboldt County Health Officer Dr. Teresa Frankovich said, “While we are still awaiting more clarification, the governor indicated that outdoor activities that are done solo or at most with two individuals other than household members, will be allowed under his order.”

Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal said, “This is a step in the right direction as we prepare to move into the next phase of COVID-19 response. Humboldt County residents have been doing a great job of practicing responsible social distancing, and I encourage members of the community to keep it up while enjoying the outdoors.”

Social distancing measures include wearing facial coverings in shared indoor spaces other than the home, using facial coverings outdoors when within 6 feet of others, maintaining spacing of 6 feet or more from others at all times unless they are members of your household, frequently handwashing or using hand sanitizer and staying home when ill. “These measures will be more, not less important, as we begin to spend more time outside our homes during the coming weeks and months,” Dr. Frankovich said.

Below is the state’s non-exhaustive list of outdoor recreational activities that can be enjoyed while meeting social distancing requirements:

Athletics
Badminton (singles)
Throwing a baseball/softball
BMX biking
Canoeing (singles)
Crabbing
Cycling
Exploring Rock Pools
Gardening (not in groups)
Golf (singles, walking – no cart)*
Hiking (trails/ paths allowing distancing)
Horse Riding (singles)
Jogging and running
Kite Boarding and Kitesurfing
Meditation
Outdoor Photography
Picnics (with your stay-home household members only)
Quad Biking
Rock Climbing
Roller Skating and Roller Blading
Rowing (singles)
Scootering (not in groups)
Skateboarding (not in groups)
Soft Martial Arts – Tai Chi, Chi Kung (not in groups)
Table Tennis (singles)
Throw and Catch an American mini football, frisbee or frisbee golf (not in groups)
Trail Running
Trampolining
Tree Climbing
Volleyball (singles)
Walk the dog
Wash the car
Watch the sunrise or sunset
Yoga
Read more here: covid19.ca.gov/stay-home-except-for-essential-needs/#business

*Humboldt County residents will be allowed to use personally owned golf carts provided that only one person is riding in the cart and it is cleaned and disinfected between uses. Dr. Frankovich and Sheriff Honsal agree that this is a reasonable and safe usage for local golfers.

For the most recent COVID-19 information, visit cdc.gov or cdph.ca.gov. Local information is available at humboldtgov.org or during business hours by contacting [email protected] or calling 707-441-5000.


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Humboldt Health Alert: humboldtgov.org/HumboldtHealthAlert

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