Interpretation & Public SAFETY
Interpretation – Clarification – Explanation
Religious Services and Face Coverings
Wednesday, April
8, 2020__
(Note from
the Editor E T Russell: This information was released to the media this
afternoon.)
The
need has arisen for clarification of a Public Health Order by County of San
Bernardino and subsequent guidance issued Tuesday, March 6th regarding
religious services and face coverings.
San
Bernardino County acknowledges the manner in which the order and guidance were
created and disseminated created unintended consequences and hardships. The
County has taken steps to ensure appropriate notice and coordination will occur
in the future as we address the complicated and fast-moving crisis faced by our
community and the entire world.
We recognize the
need to act quickly to slow the spread of COVID-19 throughout San Bernardino
County,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Curt Hagman. “But we also recognize
that we must take into consideration the myriad of impacts that can be felt in
a large and diverse county and be willing to provide clarification and make
adjustments while keeping our communities safe and healthy.”
Religious
Gatherings:
The
specific references to drive-in religious services so close to major religious
observances taking place during the next four days, for which organizations had
already conducted considerable planning and incurred expenses, are clarified as
follows:
Organizations
that have planned such services for the coming weekend should proceed with
those services, if they choose to do so and make every effort to prevent
contact between congregants.
Face
Coverings:
Regarding
the use of face-coverings while driving, there is no need for drivers traveling
alone or with members of their households, to wear face coverings unless they
must lower their windows to interact with first responders, food service
workers, or others who are not members of their households.
Enforcement Guide:
In
reference to the subject of enforcement, the public is advised that although
violation of a health order is a violation of the California Health and Safety
Code, the County does not expect law enforcement to broadly impose citations on
violators. The expectation is that law enforcement will rely upon community
members to use good judgment, common sense, and act in the best interests of
their own health and the health of their loved ones and the community at large.
The imposition of penalties on members of the public who willfully and grossly
disregard public health orders by putting others at risk of exposure to this
infectious disease is meant as a tool for law enforcement to use as a
deterrent.
Related information,
as of Wednesday, April 8, 2020:
San Bernardino
County has 547 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and the deaths of 17
county residents have been associated with the disease.
Various appropriate
County departments and agencies have been working together since January 25,
2020, to protect the community from the COVID-19 pandemic.
New information and
resources are updated daily
For information
about the coronavirus crisis, visit San Bernardino County’s coronavirus website
at: sbcovid19.com
The public can also
contact the COVID-19 hotline from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Monday through Friday at (909) 387-3911, or email the County : coronavirus@dph.sbcounty.gov