SLO County won’t limit size of outdoor protests, church services under new state guidelines
Outdoor activities protected by the First Amendment, including religious services and protests, are no longer limited in capacity due to COVID-19, according to new guidelines released by the California State Health Department.
The change does not affect indoor services, which are still limited to 25% occupancy or a maximum of 100 people, San Luis Obispo County Public Health said in a news release Tuesday.
Strict physical distancing measures are still required.
“Exercising our right to peacefully protest and attend church is an inherent American value,” San Luis Obispo County Public Health Officer Dr. Penny Borenstein said in the release. “However, let’s all remember the health and safety precautions we each need to take to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”
In San Luis Obispo County, a total of 356 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since mid-March. As of Tuesday, the county had 60 active cases, which is the highest number of active cases in San Luis Obispo since the pandemic began.
The latest change in guidelines came after houses of worship and some businesses were allowed to reopen at limited capacity and following protests relating to the death of George Floyd.
A June 4 protest organized by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in San Luis Obispo brought together about 3,000 people — many of whom were wearing masks.
According to the release, houses of worship are not required to reopen their doors to hold in-person services and the health department still strongly recommends that virtual services be offered.
When and where to get a COVID-19 test
As of June 8, free state testing is available in San Luis Obispo at 801 Grand Ave. on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Testing continues at the Grover Beach location at Ramona Garden Park Center at 993 Ramona Ave. from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays.
Testing will be available at Nipomo High School located at 525 North Thompson Avenue, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday, June 16.
Additionally, testing will be available at the Morro Bay Veterans Memorial Hall, 209 Surf Street in Morro Bay, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 17 and Thursday, June 18.
Register online for appointments at https://www.emergencyslo.org/en/should-i-be-tested.aspx; you can register by phone at 888-634-1123.
Testing is available through private healthcare providers, urgent care centers and the San Luis Obispo County Public Health Lab.
Visit ReadySLO.org for the latest public health updates and recommendations.
Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated the scope of the new guidelines. They are for outdoor activities only.
This story was originally published June 16, 2020 at 11:19 AM.
