SLO County to ‘step up enforcement’ for businesses, residents who violate shelter order
San Luis Obispo County officials will begin enforcing the shelter-at-home order in the next few days, and businesses or individuals who refuse to comply with the emergency order could face criminal or civil consequences.
“As our inspection protocols always do, it will emphasize voluntary compliance,” said Michelle Shoresman, a spokesperson with the San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department. “In the event a local business refuses to comply with the county emergency order after attempts at voluntary compliance, administrative and/or civil action may be taken by the county.”
“Additionally, refusal to comply with the county emergency order is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 or imprisonment up to six months in jail or both,” she said.
Language of the order clearly states that violation or failure to comply is a misdemeanor — but officials have, so far, taken a softer approach to enforcement.
“Our goal is to achieve voluntary compliance through working with the public and having dialogue,” county emergency services director Wade Horton said at a news conference Monday afternoon. “Although violation of our order is a misdemeanor, we are focused on partnership to protect our community.”
The county launched a public hotline on March 24 for people to report potential violations of the order. It can be reached at 805-788-2222.
Are SLO County businesses, residents violating shelter-at-home order?
San Luis Obispo County plans to announce a hotline for people to report businesses that are considered non-essential and are still open to the public, and other potential violations of the order.
Already the county has received calls from people reporting perceived violations like people riding bicycles too close to each other, for example.
A list of businesses ordered to close include bowling alleys, pools, libraries, museums, clothing stores, pet groomers, bookstores and hair salons.
Those that are allowed to remain open include airlines, pharmacies, homeless services, grocery stores, gas stations and gun stores.
In addition, county health workers will begin investigating permitted businesses to confirm compliance with social-distancing orders, Horton said.
“I know this order is having an incredible impact on all of our lives. but we are taking these extraordinary measures to slow the disease spread in our county,” Horton said. “And we’re doing this because we can save lives.”
Open spaces shut down to avoid contact
The county played a role in the decision to close the Pismo Preserve after visitors over the weekend failed to observe social distancing guidelines. Other open spaces could be next.
“We do not want to close additional trails or beaches, but we will evaluate if needed,” Horton said Monday. “We as a community have to partner to slow this disease. And it will take good decisions and sacrifices from everybody.”
Officials asked people to maintain a distance from other family groups during outdoor activities.
County health officer Penny Borenstein reminded people that staying six feet away from each other isn’t a hard and fast rule, rather she encourages social distancing because that is about the distance that droplets travel when someone sneezes or coughs.
Similarly, the city of San Luis Obispo sent out a message Monday morning reminding residents to adhere to the order. It implied that more aggressive enforcement could be coming if people don’t comply.
“This is a critical moment for our community and the actions we collectively take now will saves lives later, be sensible and responsible,” city manager Derek Johnson said in a news release. “Additional actions for public spaces may be considered by the city should social distancing requirements not be followed.”
Sheriff’s Office could enforce non-compliance of order
The soft approach to enforcement could change soon. When asked Monday whether anyone has been issued a citation for violating the order, Horton told The Tribune, “not yet.”
“We will work hard for voluntary compliance,” Horton said. “If we can’t achieve that, we will step up enforcement as necessary.”
The power of criminal enforcement for a health order is written into Government Code No. 26602, which says, “the sheriff may execute all orders of the local health officer issued for the purpose of preventing the spread of any contagious or communicable disease.”
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office sent out a news release asking people to stay calm after the order was adopted.
Additionally, it said, “we will have a high saturation of patrols targeted in the commercial corridors.”
That doesn’t mean that CHP officers are going to implement check points for travelers, a rumor that has been going around.
Lt. Kevin Coomer, CHP Templeton area commander, addressed the rumor in a Facebook post.
“I would like to take a moment to clear up a rumor that the CHP is making enforcement stops asking people why they are on the road and then issuing citations if they didn’t feel the reason was valid,” Coomer said. “THIS IS NOT TRUE.”
“The governor has not asked law enforcement to enforce the statewide stay at home order,” he continued. “In an effort to preserve public health and safety of all Californians, the hope is that people will self-regulate their behavior and home isolate, protect themselves, and go about only the ‘essential’ activities using social distancing.”
For more information on the shelter-at-home order, visit www.ReadySLO.org or call the recorded public health information line at 805-788-2903. A staffed phone assistance center at 805-543-2444 is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. everyday for questions related to COVID-19.
This story was originally published March 24, 2020 at 9:54 AM.
