Effective December 2, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has reassigned Mono County to the most restrictive Tier 1 Widespread (Purple) of the Blueprint for a Safer Economy (Blueprint), the State’s “stringent and slow plan for living with COVID-19 (Coronavirus).”
The Blueprint consists of 4 Tiers based upon a County’s current infection rate and determines the conditions under which business and activity sectors can operate.
“Our local coronavirus cases continue to climb at an alarming rate that could severely threaten the capacity of Mammoth Hospital and hospitals throughout the state and region to provide care to those in need,” stated Dr. Tom Boo, Mono County Public Health Officer.
“We received over 37 new positive test results last week (Nov. 19-25) which is a very high rate for a community of our size. The percentage of tests that were positive was over 9.5% for the period the state reviewed to determine Tier assignments. These new infections do not include any cases from the U.S. Marine Corps base in northern Mono County (Pickel Meadows), where the recent outbreak appears to be over. The difficult restrictions that come with moving to the Purple Tier will help us control the spread, while we continue to try to test people with possible COVID-19, conduct contact tracing and require people to quarantine or isolate themselves.”
According to the CDPH, over the past 14-day period the State has experienced an 89% increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations, with a 67% increase in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) hospitalizations. Current projections show hospitalizations could increase 2-3 times the current amount in one month.
The Public Health Department strongly urges our community and visitors to act responsibly to protect themselves and others by wearing a face covering, respecting physical distancing, practicing good hand washing, and avoid gatherings with those outside of your household.
To protect the health and well-being of all community members during this period of widespread transmission, the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is currently assessing data and considering additional measures to decrease the spread of disease. In addition, it seems clear that the State will be soon issuing new, more drastic statewide restrictions, some version of another Stay At Home Order. This is an urgent situation. Under the Blueprint for a Safer Economy, Mono County will remain in the Purple Tier for at least three weeks.
Regression to Tier 1 Widespread (Purple) closes indoor operations for a number of Activity and Business Tiers and applies additional capacity limits on others. We recommend that you review the new restrictions and plan your business operations and personal behavior accordingly. To view tier level descriptions, statewide county rankings, and what activities are allowable in Mono County, please visit covid19.ca.gov. A summary of the status of selected business sectors is provided below.
The CDPH also imposed a Limited Stay at Home Order effective in counties in Tier 1 “Widespread” (Purple). The Order requires that all gatherings with members of other households and all activities conducted outside the residence, lodging, or temporary accommodation with members of other households cease between 10:00 p.m. PST and 5:00 a.m. PST, except for those activities associated with the operation, maintenance, or usage of critical infrastructure or required by law.
Summary Status of Mono County Business Sector Operations (Effective December 2, 2020)
Open Indoors with Modifications* (based on Industry Guidance:
https://covid19.ca.gov/industry-guidance/):
- Critical Infrastructure
- Open with modifications
- Hair Salons and Barbershops
- Offices
- Remote
- Personal Care Services
- Open indoors with modifications
- Retail
- Open indoors with modifications – Max. 25% capacity
- Grocery stores must limit to 50% capacity
- Hotels and Lodging
- Open with modifications
- Fitness centers can be open outdoors only with modifications
- Indoor pools, hot tubs, saunas and steam rooms must remain closed
- Town Order for Town of Mammoth Lakes in effect**
Open Outdoors with Modifications, or closed,* (based on Industry Guidance:
https://covid19.ca.gov/industry-guidance/):
- Restaurants
- Open outdoors with modifications
- Wineries and tasting rooms
- Outdoor only with modifications
- Bars, Breweries and Distilleries
- No meal provided – Closed
- Meal is provided – Open outdoors with Restaurant modifications
- Museums
- Open outdoors with modifications
- Places of Worship
- Open outdoors with modifications
- Movie Theaters
- Open outdoors with modifications
- Gyms and Fitness Centers
- Open outdoors with modifications
- Family Entertainment Centers (including Bowling Alleys & Climbing Walls
- Outdoor Only with modifications
- Pools, spas, and jacuzzis
- Closed
*County Health Orders or (within the Town) Town Orders, supersede State guidelines when and
if they are stricter than the State. Business operators are required to adhere to current County
Health Officer Orders and Interim Business Guidelines published under ‘Directives’ online at:
MonoHealth.com/Coronavirus.
**The Town of Mammoth Lakes, Town Manager Lodging Order (Nov. 17, 2020) is available online under ‘Directives’: MonoHealth.com/Coronavirus.
All Mono County residents and visitors are asked to do their part to #StaySafeToStayOpen. This is more than a hashtag – it needs to become a way of life.
Additional information regarding the Blueprint for a Safer Economy is available online:
https://covid19.ca.gov/roadmap-counties/ or by visiting the Mono County COVID-19 Portal in
English: MonoHealth.com/Coronavirus or Spanish: https://monohealth.com/coronavirus-es.
Cover. Distance. Wash and #StaySafeToStayOpen!