A new order was issued by Ventura County Public Health today, effective at 11:59PM, superceding all previous orders. The detailed 19 page order is posted on the vcemergency.com website in a pdf at vcportal.ventura.org/CEO/VCNC/2020-04-18_Signed_15V8544-Final-Final_Master_Ord.pdf. The order is in effect until 11:59 pm on May 15th.

Here are some highlights:

1. All persons are ordered to stay at their homes. Homeless are exempt from this, but are strongly urged to obtain shelter.

2. We can leave our homes to engage in Essential Activities, to provide an Essential Government Function or Service or to operate or work at an Essential Business. And of course follow social distancing requirements when doing so.

3. Residents 75+ and 70+ with active or unstable comorbidity are ordered to stay home, except as necessary to seek medical care or nutrition or to perform essential work.

4. Non-Essential Travel is prohibited within the county. Travel into or out of the county is allowed as necessary.

5. Non-Essential businesses must close. There are allowed exceptions for home based businesses and “Limited Business Operations.” Limited Business Operations have facilities with no more than 10 employees or contractors on site during any 24 hour period, there is no physical interaction with the public, the public is not allowed in the workplace, social distancing is practiced and there is no retail operations (e.g. products have to be delivered, not picked up by the public).

6. “Essential Businesses” may only sell goods and services that justify their classification as essential. Grocery stores, for example, may only sell food, beverages, pet supplies and household products. They may not sell clothing, jewelry, sporting goods, furniture, etc. (The reason for this is that they would be at an unfair advantage vs stores forced to close as nonessential that sell such products.)

7. Only businesses whose primary business is selling food, beverages, pet supplies or household products (cleaning and personal care) are considered Essential Businesses. If less than a third of a business’s gross sales constituted essential products over the last six months, they are not considered an Essential Business.

8. Food service requirements continue to be 1) takeout or delivery only; 2) food must be consumed elsewhere; and 3) social distancing must be maintained.

9. Other Essential Businesses must have proper social distancing protocols in place.

10. A partial list of Non-Essential Businesses and facilities includes bars and nightclubs that don’t serve food, movie theaters, concert halls, bowling alleys, etc., gyms, fitness centers and community pools, campgrounds and RV parks (except RV parks considered primary residences), clothing, sporting goods, jewelry, fabric, toy and game, book, arts and crafts, gun, bait and tackle, furniture, home decor, party decoration and tobacco and vaping stores, pawn shops, pet grooming, salons and barber shops. Door to door solicitations are banned.

11. Public or private gatherings of six or more people are prohibited. Essential Travel and Essential Activities are not prohibited for a single household or living unit.

12. Essential Activities includes medical visits, getting supplies, food , etc., funeral and wedding services (no more than 10 allowed, in addition to the couple and the officiant), outside gatherings to observe or participate in live or virtual presentations of no more than 10 people as long as the gathering is outdoors, persons from the same household must be in a motor vehicle (I’m not making this stuff up) with no more than 5 people, vehicles are at least six feet apart, etc.

13. Essential Activities also allow for outdoor activity, provided social distancing is applied. Examples of such activities given include golfing, tennis, pickleball, walking, hiking, running, bicycling, pleasure driving and working around their places of residence, including gardening. More specific requirements for golf are given in the Order, such as “a distance of at least 30 feet shall be maintained between groups of golfers at all times.”

14. The list of Essential Businesses is pretty long. Here goes:

    1. Healthcare providers

    2. Grocery stores, farmers’ markets, produce stands, supermarkets, food banks, convenience stores, pet supply stores, etc.

    3. Agricultural production and processing.

    4. Businesses that provide food and shelter to those in need.

    5. Newspapers, TV, radio, other media.

    6. Gas stations, auto supply stores, auto repair.

    7. Banks, hardware stores, plumbers, electricians, exterminators, house cleaners, gardeners, etc.

    8. Mailing and shipping providers, including PO boxes.

    9. Education providers for the purpose of providing distance learning.

    10. Laundromats, dry cleaners, etc.

    11. Restaurant and other facilities that prepare and serve food for delivery, pick-up or drive-thru.

    12. Drive-thru car washes.

    13. Businesses that supply other Essential Businesses with support or supplies necessary to operate.

    14. Airlines, taxis, other transportation providers for purposes authorized in the Order.

    15. Home-based care providers and residential facilities.

    16. Professional services, such as legal or accounting services, when necessary to assist in compliance with legally mandated activities.

    17. Childcare facilities.

    18. Hotels, motels,. etc. for transient occupancy for visitors to the county.

    19. Bicycle stores, including the sales of bicycles, parts and supplies, andthe repair of bicycles. Bicycle rentals are not allowed.

    20. Real estate services, meeting requirements in the Order.

    21. In-person auto sales are now allowed, along with repair shops and auto part supply stores. Auto rentals are not allowed.

    22. Household appliance stores.

    23. Shoe repair shops. But no selling in person.

    24. Boat yards.