Merced County amended current stay-at-home order today

Merced County Health Officials amended the current Stay-At-Home Order (Order) today to include minimum requirements for social distancing and safety plans for essential businesses.

The Order also expands the definition of essential services to include drive-up services for faith-based organizations, animal care facilities, drive-through automatic car washes, and pool maintenance. The amended Order is effective immediately and supersedes the prior Order issued on April 17, 2020.

“In an effort to align Merced County’s Stay-At-Home Order with the Governor’s Order, changes were made to provide clarification to the essential services in our community and to assist with social distancing and safety plans,” said Dr. Rebecca Nanyonjo-Kemp, the Department of Public Health Director. “It is our hope that the changes to the Order will promote public health and safety and still allow for essential services to thrive in our community.”

Although the Order has been amended, it’s important that social distancing and safety measures remain, as we’re still at-risk for a surge of transmission in our community. The Order allows for faith-based organizations to provide weekly services through streaming or other technologies or by conducting drive-up services, where the patrons remain in their vehicles. Services must abide by physical distancing guidelines and individuals must refrain from direct or indirect contact with others.

Animal care facilities are now added to the essential list of businesses. This includes facilities that provide food, shelter, veterinary and/or routine care and other necessities of life for animals.

Additionally, drive-through automatic car wash businesses, where customers remain in their vehicles with no cash exchange, are now deemed essential. Vacuum centers associated with car washes shall remain closed. Social distancing must still occur with a six-foot distance between customers and employees.

Moving forward, Merced County will continue adding to the list of essential businesses when possible, however, local entities (such as Merced County) must operate within the confines of the Governor’s Executive Order and cannot supersede its directives.

All essential businesses shall be required to develop a Social Distancing and Safety Plan. The minimum requirements that must be included in the plan are:

Limit capacity of business to 5 people per 1,000 square feet.
Door monitoring of individuals in/out to ensure appropriate capacity is maintained.
One adult may enter the business per party/cart. No large family visits.
Social distancing must be ensured (see details in amended Order).
Employees shall wipe down all carts and baskets using disinfectant.
Provide adequate hand washing facilities for employees.
All employees must wear cloth masks, provided by employer.
All visitors to a business should wear a cloth mask. Individuals not wearing a mask may be denied entry into the business.
Customers must bag their own groceries/items when bringing reusable bags. Employees shall use new bags when bagging customer groceries/items.
All workers who are able to telecommute should be allowed to do so.
All workers must be given adequate protections whenever possible, including social distancing of employees and customers.
Universal screening of all employees for fever, cough, and shortness of breath shall occur (already included in the Febrile Respiratory Illness Health Officer Order dated April 7, 2020).