Santa Barbara County Public Health places new order on essential businesses

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- Santa Barbara County Health Department places a new order on essential businesses.

The County Health Officer Henning Ansorg has issued a Health Officer Order that will be in effect on Friday at 5 p.m. until 5 p.m. on May 31.

The new order requires the following:

• Certain essential businesses may open with modifications to their operations and social distancing protocols. These essential businesses include public and private golf courses, faith-based organizations, botanical gardens, and more.
• Social Distancing Protocols are required. Social distancing is maintaining at least a six-foot distance from all individuals who are not part of the same household or living unit. An exception is permitted when closer contact is required for fire, law enforcement, first responders, childcare, adult or senior care, care to individuals with special needs and patient care.
• Essential businesses must post a "Social Distancing Protocol" for each facility for the public or employees. The Protocol must be posted at or near the facility entrance and be easily viewable by the public and employees. Each business is required to designate an employee to monitor and enforce compliance with the Protocol at all times the business is open to the public. Essential Businesses shall provide evidence of its implementation to any authority enforcing the Order upon demand.
• Establish a protocol for how lines may form, ensuring a minimum of six feet distancing between individuals. 
• Businesses must provide hand sanitizer, soap and water, or other effective disinfectant at or near the entrance of the facility and in other appropriate areas for public and employees use.
• Businesses must provide contactless payment systems or institute a process to disinfect all payment portals, keypads, pens and styluses after each use for the next customer.
• Businesses must regularly schedule cleaning and disinfecting for all high-touch surfaces.
• Businesses must have a sign at the entrance of a facility and work area informing the public and employees that they should avoid entering the facility if they have a cough or fever and must maintain a minimum six-foot distance from one another.

For more information on the Health Officer Order, click here.