Sonoma County on Tuesday evening officially issued a shelter in place order for residents that will take effect on Wednesday after midnight and last for three weeks, joining several other counties in the region in taking that step in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Interim Public Health Officer Dr. Sundari Mase earlier Tuesday had recommended issuing the order, with the county reporting six positive cases of the coronavirus so far.
All people currently living within Sonoma County are being ordered to shelter in their homes, and those using shared or outdoor spaces must maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet.
The order will be in place until April 7, an action several other Bay Area counties took on Monday that went into effect Tuesday.
"In light of the recent cases of local transmission of COVID-19 in the county, we are taking proactive action to curtail the spread of the virus," Mase said in a news release.
As in other counties, essential businesses that provide food, shelter, social services and other necessities can stay open under the order.
