Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The Governor has ordered Californians to obey the directives of the State and Local Public Health Officer. Those directives take many forms; they include specific materials linked on this page, as well as these questions and answers. These questions and answers are directives from the State and Local Public Health Officer, and have the same force and effect as other State and Local Public Health Officer directives.

Yes. This is a legally enforceable order. It is against the law to violate this Order, and you may be punished by a fine or imprisonment for doing so.

The best way to reduce their risk of getting sick, as with seasonal colds or the flu, still applies to prevent COVID-19:

• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Cover your cough or sneeze.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Avoid touching your face.
• Avoid groups (stay at least six feet away from others).
• Reduce the time you are around others outside the home, even when at least six feet away.

At least six (6) feet, which is appropriately two to three steps away, including if you are on the bus or train. This is why it’s important to only take public transportation for essential activities–you want to help everyone be able to practice social distancing.

No, gatherings are prohibited. You may only gather with the people that you live with.

No gatherings are not permitted. People can only gather with members of their household. Meaning you can only gather with the people you share a home with.

If you are feeling sick, please first call your doctor, a nurse hotline, or an urgent care center. Do not go to the emergency room of a hospital unless you have deemed that you have an actual emergency. For purposes of this Order, individuals may leave their residence to work for or obtain services at any health care provider, including hospitals, clinics, dentists, pharmacies, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, medical and scientific research facilities, laboratories, healthcare suppliers, home healthcare services providers, veterinary care providers, mental health providers, physical therapists and chiropractors, cannabis dispensaries with medicinal permits, or any related and/or ancillary healthcare services, manufacturers and suppliers. Health care providers do not include exercise gyms and similar facilities.

To the extent possible, all health care visits that are not cancelled or rescheduled should be done remotely.

If you are feeling sick, please first call your primary care doctor, a nurse hotline, or an urgent care center before going to the hospital. Check online resources like the CDC website if you are worried that you or a loved one has the COVID-19 virus. Do not go to the emergency room of a hospital unless you have deemed that you have an actual emergency. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you are experiencing a medical emergency.

If possible, walk or drive yourself to the hospital or medical provider. If someone else in your home is sick and can drop you off, that is another good option. If you have Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) like a surgical mask or N-95 mask, you can wear that to prevent exposing others. If you don’t have that, you could use a temporary method such as wrapping a clean scarf around your mouth and nose to try to reduce droplets when you cough and sneeze. Although this is not an approved method, it is something you can do to avoid exposing others.

Yes. Be sure that you protect them and you by following social distancing guidelines such as washing hands before and after, using hand sanitizer, maintaining at least 6 feet of distance when possible, and coughing or sneezing into a tissue.

Yes you can visit your loved one at a Long Term Care Facility. View the guidance here. Visitations to Skilled Nursing Facilities are not yet allowed by the state.

You are permitted to provide care or to help with getting supplies for loved ones. But don’t provide care or pick up supplies if you are sick and someone else can do it. If you are sick, please try to self-isolate or take other steps not to expose anyone else to your illness.

Yes, Alcoholic Anonymous meetings can resume. The meetings must follow the state guidance for places of worship at the following link: https://files.covid19.ca.gov/pdf/guidance-places-of-worship.pdf. Meeting participants must have 6 feet social distancing and wear a mask. The state guidance requires 25% capacity in the meeting room.

Childcare facilities may only operate if they comply with the conditions of this Order as they related to child care. Among these conditions, children must be cared for in groups of 12 or fewer, groups of children may not mix with each other, and providers may not circulate between groups.

Yes.

No they are not allowed.

• Must close indoor operations effective July 2, 2020

1. Outdoor wedding ceremonies may be performed with up to 100 persons present who can be safely physically distanced or a lesser number up to what the venue can safely support.
2. Indoor wedding ceremonies with 25% capacity or up to 100 people, whichever is less.
3. No reception or party permitted.

• Outdoor services may be performed with up to 100 persons present who can be safely physically distanced or a lesser number up to what the venue can safely support.
• Indoor services with 25% capacity or up to 100 people, whichever is less.

1. Groups sizes are limited to a 10-1 or 10-2 ratio for each group (10 campers with one or two instructors).
2. Each group must be stable. The same campers and instructor stay together and do not mix with other groups, including from day to day.
3. Any camp activity must maintain 6-foot social distancing. Individual skills and drills can be done, but no group or contact sports such as a football or basketball games may be played.

• Must close indoor operations effective July 2, 2020

• Cardrooms are not allowed to open at this time.

1. Hotel rooms must be left vacant for 24 hours after a guest has departed.
2. Short-term rentals do not need to register at VCReopens.com. Attestation is included through permit issuance.

1. RV parks at the beach are allowed at 2/3 capacity
2. RV parks and campgrounds not at the beach are allowed at 50% capacity

• All brewpubs, breweries, bars, pubs and wineries CAN operate outdoors if they have a restaurant permit from the Environmental Health Division.
• all restaurants must close indoor operations
• only members of the same household may sit together at a single table
• the maximum time for a patron dining on the premises shall be 1 and ½ hours
• on premises dining is required to close by 10pm

Yes.

• Must close indoor operations effective July 2, 2020

1. Limited to 50% capacity
2. Use a reservation system
3. Follow County of Ventura Environmental Health guidance for pools

1. No live audiences
2. *Do not register at VCReopens.com. Attestation is included through permit issuance
3. Must have a COVID-19 Compliance Officer on site
4. Follow industry guidance

1. No contact or sparring between members.

You should still try to maintain a least six feet between you and others. When that isn’t possible for short periods, do your best to keep the duration short. Be sure when you are in line that you don’t sneeze or cough onto people. If needed, cough or sneeze into your shirt or into an elbow with clothing on.

Schools, soup kitchens, food banks, and other entities that provide free or reduced priced food goods or meals to students or other members of the public are encouraged to continue providing these services. However, food provided by these establishments to the public may not be eaten on the premises but must instead be delivered or taken away for consumption.

No. You will continue to be able to purchase these items whenever you need them, as stores selling necessary items like grocery stores, pharmacies, and hardware stores will remain open. Please continue to buy normal quantities of these items on the same schedule you normally do. This will ensure that there is enough for everyone.

Yes. Grocery stores, certified farmers’ markets, water retailers, produce stands, supermarkets, food banks, convenience stores, and similar food retail establishments are encouraged to remain open to provide food and pet supplies to the public. When visiting these establishments, please help retailers maintain at least six feet minimum distance between patrons, including by providing ample space while shopping and waiting in line.

Yes, but only if they provide essential services as described in the order. This would include non-profit operating food pantries, providing housing and services for homeless residents, and many other critical services.

Under the new order, automobile dealerships and similar businesses with a primary businesses of automobile sales may open. This includes in-person sales and long-term leasing as well as the operation of repair shops and auto-parts supply stores. Automobile rentals are not allowed. “Automobiles” include cars, trucks, recreational vehicles, motorcycles and motorized scooters.

Yes.

Yes. Please call first to determine if there are any restrictions in place.

Yes.

Yes, but avoid unnecessary trips.

Bicycle stores can remain open. This includes the sales of bicycles, parts and supplies as well as the repair of bicycles. Bicycle rentals are allowed.

Yes. Because cannabis may be used for medicinal purposes, cannabis stores qualify as a “Healthcare Operation” under the broad definition of that term in the current health officer order and therefore are allowed to continue to operate, subject to the restrictions generally applicable to all Essential Businesses under the current health officer order and all otherwise applicable laws.

To report a business operating in violation of this order, you may call the COVID Business Compliance line at 805-202-1805 or email CovidCompliance@ventura.org.

Florists are now permitted to operate under the guidelines of the Stay Well VC Order.

Yes, dog groomers are permitted to operate. They must register and follow the guidelines at www.vcreopens.com

Yes. With the elimination of the essential business model in the local health order, and reliance on the State health order model for critical infrastructure, the Sheriff and local health officer have determined that the gun stores may fully open to the public provided they implement and register site-specific prevention plans as described www.vcreopens.com. 

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Outdoor photography must comply with social distancing protocols. This activity is allowed for photographing individuals or members of the same household. This is not intended for group pictures or filming that involves members of different households within a six foot proximity of each other.

No you cannot play bingo. Gatherings are prohibited.

No. All organized and/or recreational team sports activities are prohibited until further notice. This applies to all organized sports teams (except professional teams, which may be covered by a separate order), including those associated with public and private schools and colleges, and adult and youth sports organizations. This prohibition applies to members of a team gathering together for games, practices, physical conditioning, drills and any other group activity that involves two or more persons gathering at the same place and time for an organized team activity. The California Department of Public Health (“CDPH”) guidance on day camps (“Guidance”), which has been approved for implementation by the County Health Officer, permits recreational activities that involve day campers sharing toys and equipment provided the campers comply with social distancing requirements. Neither the Guidance on day camps, nor any other guidance issued by the CDPH, shall be construed to permit organized team sports activities contrary to the intent of this order. FAQ’S are directives from the State and/or Local Public Health Officer, and have the same force and effect as other State and/or Local Public Health Officer directives.

Yes, you can go to the store to buy food, drinks and goods for yourself, for those in your home, and for anyone else that needs help. This also includes medical supplies at a pharmacy and supplies at a hardware store.

Public transit will continue to operate on a limited basis. When using public transit, maintain at least six feet of distance from others.

Yes. All retail stores are open. However, you should minimize unnecessary trips.

Yes. The mail and other delivery services to your home can continue to function, as can food delivery services.

Yes. The Order identifies businesses that deliver goods or services directly to residences may continue to operate.

Only for essential travel. You should avoid being in a vehicle with many other people. In circumstances under which such transportation is needed, you must practice social distancing, cover your mouth and nose if you cough or sneeze, use hand sanitizer or wash your hands before and after rides. Airlines, taxis, and other private transportation providers, like Uber and Lyft, providing transportation services necessary for essential activities and other purposes are expressly authorized in the “Stay Well at Home” Order.

Yes, they can be open.

Yes. Anyone is allowed to use a golf cart on the course. These are limited to single-use.

Yes, public pools and pools managed by HOA can be open. They must follow the following guidance:

• Public Pools
• HOA Pools

Yes, they must follow the following guidance: (Click here for guidance).

They must follow the following guidance: (Click here for guidance.)