As coronavirus cases continue to spread, two of Humboldt’s neighboring counties to the south, are adopting more stringent shelter-in-place orders that will drastically impact residents’ day-to-day lives. 

Officials from both Sonoma and Mendocino counties announced on Tuesday that they would join other Northern California counties in directing residents to stay in their homes as much as possible in an attempt to slow the spread of the virus and ease potential strain on hospitals. They join a growing list of at least 10 other counties and jurisdictions — mostly centered across the Bay Area and covering areas home to over 8 million people — where public life has slowed significantly.   

 

California is among the states experiencing the most disruption due to coronavirus. As of yesterday there were 472 cases and 13 deaths, up from 157 cases and three deaths the week before that. 

In Sonoma County, where six people have tested positive for COVID-19, public health officials announced a three-week shelter-in-place order Tuesday that requires residents to hunker down unless they are performing essential errands. There are exceptions for some of the region’s leading industries which will allow wineries, breweries, dairies and other agricultural businesses to operate even as they close down aspects of their businesses that are open to the public. (Read more in the Press-Democrat.)

The full details of Mendocino County’s shelter-in-place directive are scheduled to be announced at 5 p.m. today before going into effect at 10 p.m. Mendocino County has not yet had a confirmed case of COVID-19, but a release about the impending order cites the country’s proximity to the Bay Area, where community spread of the virus has been extensive, as a motivating factor behind the move. The release also states that the order is being tailored to “reflect the rural nature of our County.” (Read more at the Mendocino Voice.)

Yesterday, Lake County officials announced that a shelter-in-place order is anticipated within the next few days.

With shelter-in-place orders rolling out in more California counties every day, the Outpost has reached out to Humboldt County Sheriff Billy Honsal to inquire whether similar plans for Humboldt have been discussed and what that might look like. We will pass on what we find out when we hear back. 

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