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DATE OF AMENDMENT: June 11, 2020

Health Order No. C19-14 Stay Well Sonoma County »
Press Release »

Please read this Order carefully. Violation of or failure to comply with this Order is a misdemeanor punishable by fine, imprisonment, or both. (California Health and Safety Code § 120275, et seq.)

UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF CALIFORNIA HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE SECTIONS 101040, 101085, AND 120175, THE HEALTH OFFICER OF THE COUNTY OF SONOMA (“HEALTH OFFICER”) ORDERS:

1. This Amendment is for the limited purpose of allowing wineries, breweries and similarly defined facilities to reopen without the current State requirement of providing meals. On May 18, 2020, the Health Officer submitted the Sonoma County Attestation for a “Variance” to the California Department of Public Health (“CDPH”) for approval for accelerated business reopening under Stage 2 of the Governor’s Roadmap to Modify the Stay at Home Order. As part of the Variance, the Public Health Officer, with Board of Supervisors’ support, requested authorization to allow tasting rooms, breweries, distilleries, and wineries to operate for outdoor alcohol-only service. The Health Officer considered this activity to be lower risk than indoor sit-down meals at restaurants. However, CDPH stated that this activity was not allowed under the Governor’s May 4, 2020 Executive Order N-60-20 (“State Order”) and requested that the County of Sonoma (“County”) revise the Variance to allow wineries and similar facilities to reopen only if they served meals.
2. Beginning June 12, 2020, the State will now be allowing tasting rooms, breweries, distilleries, and wineries to operate for alcohol-only service, as originally requested in Sonoma County’s Variance. This Amendment aligns the Order of the Health Officer (C19-14) (“Order”) with the State Order for tasting rooms, breweries, distilleries, and wineries.
3. Effective at 12:01 a.m. on June 12, 2020, tasting rooms, breweries, distilleries, and wineries may operate as an Allowed Business for alcohol-only service, subject to compliance with Social Distancing and Hygiene Requirements, Face Coverings Requirements, Social Distancing Protocol found in Appendix A to the Order, and local and state orders and guidance found here: https://covid19.ca.gov/pdf/guidance-restaurants-bars.pdf. To clarify, these businesses are no longer required to provide meals, serve alcohol in the same transaction as meal, or conduct alcohol-only retail sales after a meal.
4. The Health Officer strongly encourages tasting rooms, breweries, distilleries, and wineries to operate as much as possible outdoors, and to be vigilant on limiting excessive consumption of alcohol that could deter guests’ compliance with mitigation measures that are necessary to control the spread of the virus.
5. This Amendment incorporates by reference the June 5, 2020 Order of the Health Officer No. C19-14. Except as otherwise amended herein, all provisions of that Order remain in full force and effect.  This Order incorporates all provisions of these Orders that are not in conflict. This Amendment shall continue to remain in effect until the Order is rescinded, superseded, or amended in writing by the Health Officer or by the State Public Health Officer.
6. This Amendment is possible because the Health Orders were successful in “flattening the curve” and interrupting transmission of the virus. However, this should not be seen as a return to normal. The virus is not contained.  There is still a clear and present danger to the community by its continued transmission.  This is especially true for indoor activities, when individuals are at close quarters, interacting with greater numbers of people, and/or are interacting with non-household members for longer durations.
7. While an activity may be allowed under this Amendment, Order, or the State Order, that does not mean that the activity does not present a risk. Community members should conduct their own risk-based assessment of what activities are appropriate, especially those who have underlying medical conditions, people age 65 or older, or who are otherwise vulnerable (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/index.html).
8. Copies of this Amendment shall promptly be: (1) made available at the County Administration Center at 575 Administration Drive, Santa Rosa CA 95403; (2) posted on the County Public Health Department website (https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/Health/Public-Health/) and (http://socotestpsa.org/); and (3) provided to any member of the public requesting a copy of this Order.
9. If any provision of this Amendment or related Order is held to be invalid, the reminder, including the application of such part or provision to other persons or circumstances, shall not be affected and shall continue in full force and effect.

IT IS SO ORDERED:

Dr. Sundari R. Mase, MD MPH
Health Officer of the County of Sonoma