COVID-19 Order Addendum soc dist and sanitation

Essential Businesses in SD County Must Adopt COVID-19 Social Distancing & Sanitation Plan Immediately On Thursday, April 2, the County of San Diego issued an addendum to its original COVID-19 related Public Health Order. This addendum requires essential businesses still operating and open to the public to complete and post a social distancing and sanitation protocol form at or near an entrance of each facility operated in San Diego County at a place visible to both the public and employees, and distribute the form to each employee performing work in the facility. All essential businesses, however, must implement the Social Distancing and Sanitation Protocol and be able to provide evidence of implementation to any authority authorized to enforce the order. The deadline for compliance for this element is 12am, Tues April 7.

A highly publicized portion of the order is that addressing “facial covering.� Essential workers at supermarkets, grocery stores, gas stations, convenience stores, restaurants and pharmacies are required to wear cloth facial coverings, as defined by the CA DPH guidance that is attached to the addendum. Facial coverings appear to be required ONLY in those categories of workers. During the press conference announcing the addendum, it was recommended that all people consider wearing facial covers when in public spaces, but it is not required. Further, it was emphasized repeatedly that non-healthcare providers should not use N95 or surgical grade masks as casual facial cover, as these items are desperately needed by those on the frontlines of the COVID-19 battle. Instead, some other cloth barrier (such as a bandana) should be used, if applicable.

For more information, please contact Melanie Cohn, Biocom’s Director of Regional Government Affairs.