Full Notification

The Contra Costa County Health Department issued a new order today that requires anyone working at or visiting an essential business, such as a grocery store or gas station, to wear face coverings to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
 
The order is effective Wednesday, April 22, and also requires public transit and government workers to wear masks when they come close to others, or where the public is likely to be present.
 
Members of the public must wear a mask when they:

• work at an essential business
• are inside an essential business, such as a grocery store
• visit a healthcare provider or facility
• wait in line for or ride public transportation

Businesses must take reasonable measures, such as posting signs, to remind visitors about masking, and not serve customers who do not observe the order. Workers do not need to mask if they are alone in a personal office but must put them on when others enter.
 
The new order does not extend to people driving in personal vehicles alone or with members of their households. Everyone still needs to continue to abide by the earlier Health Officer orders and continue to observe safe physical distancing when they go out to exercise or for recreation. When outside, everyone must carry masks or face coverings and use them whenever they come near six feet of others outside their own households.
 
Face coverings can be anything made of cloth, fabric or other permeable material that covers the nose and mouth and the lower part of the face. According to the Health Officer, medical-grade masks are not required – a T-shirt or bandana works fine.
 
As of today, there are 648 people who have tested positive for COVID-19 in Contra Costa County – 7 in Moraga.  This is an increase of 116 in a week – a 21.8% increase. While this may seem like a small number, but remember that we have only had limited testing in our county. The virus can incubate inside a person for up to 14 days before the person is symptomatic.  They can be contagious for part of this time...and have no idea they are infected with the virus while spreading it and getting people sick.  Do not become complacent because you think that only 7 people in the whole town have it.
 
Again, even with the new requirement to wear masks, we need to follow the Health Officer's order regarding shelter-in-place.  It is possible that the number of positive tests is lower than projections because of the shelter-in-place orders that most people are following.  We need to continue to flatten the statistical curve and ensure there are sufficient healthcare resources to treat people who are ill or injured in our community.

Remember these 5 keys to preventing the virus:
**Hands - wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap.
**Elbow - cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow.
**Face - don't touch your face.
**Space - give each other space - stay 6 feet apart.
**Home - stay at home and abide by the shelter-in-place order.


Don't forget our essential businesses in Moraga that are open for business and eager to serve you.  Restaurants are open and serving their excellent food for take out…other businesses are also open and offering essential goods and services.  Please patronize these businesses that support our community and schools.  Do your best to thank the employees and first responders who are working every day to serve our community.

Keep yourself and your family safe and healthy during these challenging times.  For current information about the COVID-19 situation, please go to www.coronavirus.cchealth.org or call the Health Department information number at 844-729-8410.  Please accept our sincere thanks for your help in keeping Moraga a safe community and please stay safe and healthy!!