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Alpine County Health Department, 75-B Diamond Valley Rd., Markleeville, CA 96120 Alpine County Board of Supervisors, Phone: (530) 694-2281 District 1: January Riddle, District 2: Ron Hames, District 3: Irvin Jim, District 4: Terry Woodrow, District 5: David Griffith ORDER OF THE HEALTH OFFICER OF THE COUNTY OF ALPINE DIRECTING ALL PUBLIC MEETINGS IN THE COUNTY TO OCCUR VIRTUALLY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE AND ENCOURAGING WORKPLACES TO CONDUCT MEETINGS REMOTELY AS BUSINESS NEEDS PERMIT DATE OF ORDER: January 10, 2022 BACKGROUND The rapid emergence of the highly transmissible COVID-19 Omicron variant coupled with holiday gatherings has led to unprecedented COVID-19 case rates in Alpine County. Instead of several cases every 1-2 weeks, we are now experiencing several new cases per day, and have moved from being the only county in California considered “low risk” into the highest risk category. Those affected include those most vulnerable – the very young, the elderly, those with underlying medical conditions, and those unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated. While data on the Omicron variant is still emerging, it has quickly become the dominant variant in the United States. The high case rates in our region are projected to severely impact capacity in area hospitals over the next weeks. All individuals in Alpine County, especially those who are unvaccinated or not up-to- date with their vaccination (boosted, if eligible) and those at higher risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19, should take personal measures to reduce their risk of acquiring COVID-19. In addition to existing COVID-19 mitigation measures, including Public Health Brief Richard O. Johnson, M.D., MPH Nichole Williamson Public Health Officer HHS Director Office: [PHONE REDACTED], Ext 249 Office: [PHONE REDACTED] e-mail: [EMAIL REDACTED] 24/7/365 Emergency Contact Number Dispatch: [PHONE REDACTED], Ext 330 ---PAGE BREAK--- Alpine County Health Department, 75-B Diamond Valley Rd., Markleeville, CA 96120 Alpine County Board of Supervisors, Phone: (530) 694-2281 District 1: January Riddle, District 2: Ron Hames, District 3: Irvin Jim, District 4: Terry Woodrow, District 5: David Griffith vaccination, face coverings, and testing, additional actions can help limit the likelihood of COVID-19 transmission in workplaces and public settings. This Order is necessary to control and reduce the rate of community spread and to reinforce the need for safe interactions. The Health Officer will continue to assess the public health situation as it evolves and will reevaluate the need for this Order no later than February 1, 2022. The Health Officer may modify this Order, or issue additional Orders related to COVID-19, as changing circumstances dictate. ORDER UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF CALIFORNIA HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE SECTIONS 101040, 101085, 120175, AND 120220, THE HEALTH OFFICER OF THE COUNTY OF ALPINE (“HEALTH OFFICER”) HEREBY ORDERS AS FOLLOWS: 1. This Order shall become effective January 10, 2022 at 1 PM and will continue to be in effect until rescinded or amended in writing by the Health Officer. 2. On January 5th, the California Department of Public Health extended its order directing all individuals to wear face coverings indoors in workplaces and public settings through February 15th. This State Order remains in place and is unaffected by this Order. (guidance for face coverings (ca.gov)) 3. All public boards, councils, commissions, and other similar bodies shall suspend in-person public meetings and conduct all meetings virtually. Affected bodies shall ensure opportunities for virtual public participation and compliance with the Brown Act and all other relevant statutes. 4. All county sponsored indoor and outdoor events shall be suspended, and departments are encouraged to conduct events virtually when possible, or to postpone when not possible to transition to a virtual event. 5. Employers and businesses shall consider conducting meetings remotely and take other measures as necessary to reduce transmission risk as much as business needs will permit. ---PAGE BREAK--- Alpine County Health Department, 75-B Diamond Valley Rd., Markleeville, CA 96120 Alpine County Board of Supervisors, Phone: (530) 694-2281 District 1: January Riddle, District 2: Ron Hames, District 3: Irvin Jim, District 4: Terry Woodrow, District 5: David Griffith 6. Employers and businesses subject to the Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) and/or the Cal/OSHA Aerosol Transmissible Diseases Standards should consult the applicable regulations for additional requirements. The ETS allow local health jurisdictions to mandate more protective measures. 7. All State orders and guidance documents referenced in State orders are complementary to this Order. By way of this Order, the Health Officer adopts such directives as orders as well. Where a conflict exists between a local order and any State public health order related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the most restrictive provision controls pursuant to, and consistent with, California Health and Safety Code § 131080. 8. Copies of Order. Copies of this Order shall be: made available at the Alpine County Health Department at 75 Diamond Valley Rd in Woodfords; posted on the Alpine County website (COVID-19 I Alpine County, CA - Official Website (alpinecountyca.gov) and provided to any member of the public requesting a copy of this Order. 9. Severability. If any provision of this Order or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held to be invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of the Order, including the application of such part or provision to other persons or circumstances, shall not be affected and shall continue in full force and effect. To this end, the provisions of this Order are severable. IT IS SO ORDERED THIS DAY OF JANUARY 10, 2022: Richard O. Johnson, M.D., MPH Health Officer Alpine County