SACRAMENTO– With COVID-19 spreading at a dangerous rate throughout the state, and multiple regions of the state now under a mandatory stay-at-home order, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services issued region-wide emergency alerts Tuesday, asking residents to stay home except for essential activities.
The alert comes as the most recent statistics on COVID-19, including data on intensive care unit (ICU) capacity shows that, two regions – San Joaquin Valley and Southern California, have dropped below 15% capacity triggering regional stay-at-home orders in those areas.
The following alert was to be sent via text message through the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) system to cell phone users across Southern California and the San Joaquin Valley:
“New public health stay at home order in your area. COVID-19 is spreading rapidly. Stay home except for essential activity. Wear a mask. Keep your distance. Visit covid19.ca.gov”
The geographically-targeted text messages were scheduled to be sent to residents in the San Joaquin Valley Counties of: Calaveras, Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, San Benito, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tulare, and Tuolumne.
Likewise, targeted text messages were to be sent in the following Southern California Counties: Imperial, Inyo, Los Angeles, Mono, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office received notification from the State Office of Emergency Services that they would be sending out Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) to cell phones Tuesday at noon to the Southern California and San Joaquin Valley Regions related to the mandatory stay-at-home order. Lake County officials noted that this does not affect residents in Lake County at this time. From past experiences there have been times where unintended recipients receive a WEA. Lake County residents are reminded that if you receive a WEA regarding the stay-at-home order, it does not pertain to Lake County at this time. For additional details see the information from Cal OES.
The Regional Stay-at-Home Order took effect in those two regions at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday and will remain in effect for at least three weeks. Regions will be eligible to exit from the order and return to the Blueprint for a Safer Economy on December 28 if ICU capacity projections for the following month are above or equal to 15%.
Read the full Regional Stay at Home Order at https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/Regional-Stay-at-Home-Order-.aspx and frequently asked questions at COVID19.CA.GOV/search/?q=regional%20stay%20at%20home#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=regional%20stay%20at%20home&gsc.page=1
Subsequent WEA messages could be sent to other regions of the state if they move into stay-at-home status.
This message is informational only, and individuals who receive wireless alerts should not contact law enforcement or call 9-1-1.
Under the terms of the State Department of Public Health order, when ICU capacity drops below 15% in a region, a list of sectors must close by 11:59 p.m. the next day including bars, breweries, distilleries, and wineries (except for production, manufacturing, and retail), hair salons and barbershops, and personal care services. In addition, a number of sectors in these regions, including restaurants, retail and shopping centers and hotels and lodging, will have additional modifications in addition to 100% masking and physical distancing.
Critical infrastructure, schools and non-urgent medical and dental care can remain open with appropriate infectious disease preventative measures.
Get more details on how to protect yourself from COVID-19: www.covid19.ca.gov
Learn more about Wireless Emergency Alerts: www.calalerts.ca.gov
