County health officer sets the record straight about non-essential businesses and travel

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - Since California Governor Newsom issued "Shelter in Place" orders for the state on March 19, life changed for millions of people. What was once commonplace, changed overnight.

Navigating through what is essential and what is nonessential has been a struggle for many.

The El Dorado County Public Health Officer Dr. Nancy Williams created a statement Friday to reiterate business, activity and travel restrictions. She also said that she and county leaders may have to impose stricter limitations than imposed by the state should some current practices continue.

"The Governor made it clear that this order is the minimum standard for the people of California to follow regarding staying at home," said Dr. Williams in her statement. "Counties and cities may be more restrictive, but not less."

South Lake Tahoe added $1,000 fines to those choosing travel to South Lake Tahoe to vacation and stay in second homes and rentals. They are not alone either as many took the lack of work and school as an invitation to travel on vacation. South Lake Tahoe also joined many municipalities by closing City parks and beaches as a way to not aid in the spread of the coronavirus. Some towns have imposed strict curfews to reduce crime and the potential for gathering in large groups.

"The County of El Dorado had opted for the most part to NOT impose any regulations stricter than those contained in the Governor's orders, or to impose fines," said Dr. Williams. "The only exception to this has been the clarifications on non-essential travel to short-term occupancies in our highly-impacted destination areas."

The South Lake Tahoe vacation rental business came to a halt for the most part, but some homes not managed professionally have continued to see use, something against both the City and the County directives.

"We stress that the default position is for you to STAY AT HOME and when you must leave for essential reasons, to perform those activities as near your home as possible, interact as little as possible with others when outside your home, and practice physical distancing when you do," the statement said.

Essential businesses - for a list https://covid19.ca.gov/img/EssentialCriticalInfrastructureWorkers.pdf.