Full Notification

An update on the Public Health Order, Parks Closure Order and a reminder to only leave your home for essential reasons. Driving to Open Space, to recreate or to a trailhead is NOT essential.

Helpful Links:
COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions
COVID-19 Website
New Public Health Stay-at-Home Order
New Parks and Additional Closure Order
Executive Summary of Public Health Order
subscribe for email updates

On 03/31/20, starting at 11:59 PM, Marin County Public Health, issued a new and revised Public Health Order that supersedes the previous order.  The new order is set to expire on May 3, 2020, at 11:59 PM.  The order sets more specific and restricting terms to reduce the spread of COVID-19, to better safeguard the public, with the goal of maintaining an adequate and safe healthcare response during the pandemic.  The current order also included a Parks and Additional Closures Order.

The executive summary of the Order has key highlights and makes it easier to digest.

Marin County Public Health has determined strict social distancing is needed to slow the rate of spread, prevent deaths, and stop the health care system from becoming overwhelmed, and that we need to continue with these social distancing measures for a longer period of time.

Unfortunately, we continue to see a deluge of visitors travelling to Marin County for non-essential reasons. More specifically, a multitude of visitors not practicing social distancing and crowding our trails and parks, which puts the health and safety of our county at risk.

The Marin County Sheriff’s Office has taken an approach to enforcement focusing on education and communication in hopes businesses and residents would cooperate with the Order, but as we’ve seen the past week, not all have.

We are receiving dozens of calls daily from concerned residents reporting people gathering in groups and non-essential businesses still operating as usual, both in violation of the Order. Violation of the County or State Order is a misdemeanor punishable by fine, imprisonment or both (Health and Safety Code 120295 and Government Code 8665).

We have been proactively contacting non-essential businesses still operating to gain compliance. Voluntary compliance will be sought for both the Public Health and Park closure Orders, but if that compliance is not gained, Deputies will enforce the above-mentioned Health and Safety and Government codes.

While we do not take this enforcement stance lightly, the COVID-19 pandemic is a serious health threat, and the Public Health Order and Park Closure Order are enforceable.

Marin County Parks and Open Space along with the Marin County Sheriff’s Office will be collaboratively working together to ensure compliance with the Park Closure Order. 

Please do not call 9-1-1 or our non-emergency lines with questions about the Public Health or Park closure order.  Our call takers and dispatchers have the same documents and information that are provided through Marin County Health and Human Services.

CALL FOR DONATIONS:
If local individuals or companies have excess inventory of PPE to you wish to donate to support our health care and first responder workers, please fill out our online donation form.  Alternatively, donations can be dropped off Monday - Friday, 1:00pm to 4:00pm, at The Salvation Army (351 Mission Avenue, San Rafael), who is collecting on behalf of Marin County Office of Emergency Services. Staff are on-site during those hours to direct donors on how best to drop off supplies while maintaining physical distancing requirements. 

Only donations of new, unopened boxes of N95 masks, surgical masks, isolation masks, disposable gowns, and latex gloves will be accepted at this time. 

Public Health Releases Guidance on Face Coverings:
In response to new guidance from the California Department of Public Health, the Marin County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Bay Area health officials are recommending that residents cover their nose and mouth when leaving home for essential travel, such as doctor appointments, grocery shopping or pharmacy visits. 
Resident face coverings do not have to be hospital grade but need to cover the nose and mouth. 

Home-sewn fabric coverings, bandanas, a “DIY” mask from an old t-shirt and neck gaiters are examples of acceptable face coverings, especially because they can be washed and worn again.

Where to get the latest information:
Visit the official Marin County Coronavirus webpage (MarinHHS.org/coronavirus) to review answers to frequently asked questions, access guidance for special groups and subscribe for email updates. To view past status updates concerning COVID-19 activity in Marin County, click on the resources tab on the Coronavirus webpage.
Have questions?  Individuals can contact Marin Health and Human Services with non-medical questions about the coronavirus by calling (415) 473-7191 (Monday – Friday, 9:30am to 12-noon and 1pm to 5pm).