Stay-at-Home Order will go into effect if, when Regional Hospital ICU capacity dips below 15%

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced plans yesterday for a Regional Stay-at Home Order that applies 24 hours after a California region is determined to have less than 15% hospital ICU availability.

Currently, Riverside County’s ICU capacity is 20.60%. The state is projecting that our region could fall below 15% ICU availability sometime in December, according to a news release from the city of Palm Springs.

The order prohibits private gatherings of any size, closes business sector operations except for critical services and retail, and requires 100% masking and physical distancing in all others. The order remains in effect at least 3 weeks. After that period, it will be lifted when a region’s projected ICU capacity meets or exceeds 15%. This will be assessed weekly after the initial 3-week period.

If and when our region triggers this new Stay-at-Home Order, the following sectors must close:

  • Indoor and outdoor playgrounds
  • Indoor recreational facilities
  • Hair salons and barbershops
  • Personal care services
  • Museums, zoos and aquariums
  • Movie theaters
  • Wineries
  • Bars, breweries and distilleries
  • Family entertainment centers
  • Cardrooms and satellite wagering
  • Live audience sports
  • Amusement parks

The following sectors will have additional modifications with 100% masking and physical distancing:

  • Outdoor recreational facilities: Allow outdoor operation only without any food, drink or alcohol sales. Additionally, overnight stays at campgrounds will not be permitted.
  • Retail: Allow indoor operation at 20% capacity and no eating or drinking in the stores. Special hours should be instituted for seniors and others with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems.
  • Shopping centers: Allow indoor operation at 20% capacity and no eating or drinking in the stores. Additionally, special hours should be instituted for seniors and others with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems.
  • Offices: Allow remote work only except for critical infrastructure where remote not possible.
  • Hotels and lodging will be restricted.
  • Restaurants: Allow only for take-out, pick-up or delivery.
  • Places of Worship and First Amendment activities continue to be allowed outdoors.

Guidance for schools remains in effect and unchanged. More info is available by clicking here.

Image Sources

  • Stay at home: Shutterstock