2020-03-11 Gov Newsom Gatherings of 2501
California Public Health Experts: Mass
Gatherings Should be Postponed or Canceled
Statewide to Slow the Spread of COVID-19
Published: Mar 11, 2020
State public health experts announce that gatherings with 250 people or more should be
rescheduled or canceled
Smaller gatherings can proceed if organizers implement 6 feet of social distancing
SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom announced that California public
health officials this evening issued an updated policy on gatherings to protect public health and
slow the spread of COVID-19. The state’s public health experts have determined that gatherings
should be postponed or canceled across the state until at least the end of March. Non-
essential gatherings must be limited to no more than 250 people, while smaller events can
proceed only if the organizers can implement social distancing of 6 feet per person. Gatherings
of individuals who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 should be limited to no
more than 10 people, while also following social distancing guidelines.
“Changing our actions for a short period of time will save the life of one or more people you
know,” said Governor Newsom. “That’s the choice before us. Each of us has extraordinary
power to slow the spread of this disease. Not holding that concert or community event can
have cascading effects — saving dozens of lives and preserving critical health care resources that
your family may need a month from now. The people in our lives who are most at risk – seniors
and those with underlying health conditions — are depending on all of us to make the right
choice.”
The state’s updated policy defines a “gathering” as any event or convening that brings together
people in a single room or single space at the same time, such as an auditorium, stadium, arena,
large conference room, meeting hall, cafeteria, or any other indoor or outdoor space.
This guidance applies to all non-essential professional, social and community gatherings
regardless of their sponsor.
Essential gatherings should only be conducted if the essential activity could not be postponed or
achieved without gathering, meaning that some other means of communication could not be used
to conduct the essential function.
The full policy can be found here.
“These changes will cause real stress — especially for families and businesses least equipped
financially to deal with them. The state of California is working closely with businesses who will
feel the economic shock of these changes, and we are mobilizing every level of government to
help families as they persevere through this global health crisis,” added Governor Newsom.
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State Efforts to Assist California Workers
California will continue acting swiftly to help workers hurt by COVID-19. Affected workers can
visit the Labor & Workforce Development Agency’s website to review what benefits are
available to them. For instance,
If you’re unable to work because you are caring for an ill or quarantined family member
with COVID-19 you may qualify for Paid Family Leave (PFL).
If you’re unable to work due to medical quarantine or illness, you may qualify for
Disability Insurance. Those who have lost a job or have had their hours reduced for
reasons related to COVID-19 may be able to partially recover their wages by filing an
unemployment insurance claim.
If a worker or a family member is sick or for preventative care when civil authorities
recommend quarantine, workers may use accrued paid sick leave in accordance with the
law.
If workers are unable to do their usual job because they were exposed to and contracted
COVID-19 during the regular course of their work, they may be eligible for workers’
compensation benefits. All information and resources can be found
at Labor.Ca.Gov/Coronavirus2019
All Community Guidance Released from CDPH:
The California Department of Public Health has consolidated state guidance on how to prepare
and protect Californians from COVID-19 in a single location. This includes guidance for:
Health care facilities, including long-term care facilities
Community care facilities, including assisted living facilities and child care
Schools and institutions of higher education
First responders, including paramedics and EMTs
Employers, health care workers and workers in general industry
Health care plans
Home cleaning with COVID-19 positive individuals
Guidance for Using Disinfectants at Schools and Child Cares
Laboratories
Health care facilities from Cal/OSHA
Homelessness Providers
What to Do if You Think You’re Sick:
Call ahead: If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and may have had contact with a
person with COVID-19, or recently traveled to countries with apparent community spread, call
your health care provider or local public health department first before seeking medical care so
that appropriate precautions can be taken.
California’s Response to COVID-19:
We have been actively and extensively planning with our local public health and health care
delivery systems. Here are some of the things we are already doing:
As in any public health event, the California Department of Public Health’s Medical and
Health Coordination Center has been activated and is coordinating public health response
efforts across the state.
California continues to prepare and respond in coordination with federal and local
partners, hospitals and physicians.
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Governor Newsom declared a State of Emergency to make additional resources available,
formalize emergency actions already underway across multiple state agencies and
departments, and help the state prepare for broader spread of COVID-19.
Governor Gavin Newsom requested the Legislature make up to $20 million available for
state government to respond to the spread of COVID-19.
California activated the State Operations Center to its highest level to coordinate response
efforts across the state.
24 million more Californians are now eligible for free medically necessary COVID-19
testing.
California made available some of its emergency planning reserves of 21 million N95
filtering face piece masks for use in certain health care settings to ease shortages of
personal protective equipment.
The Public Health Department is providing information, guidance documents, and
technical support to local health departments, health care facilities, providers, schools,
universities, colleges, and childcare facilities across California
The California Employment Development Department (EDD) is encouraging individuals
who are unable to work due to exposure to COVID-19 to file a Disability Insurance
claim.
EDD is also encouraging employers who are experiencing a slowdown in their businesses
or services as a result of the Coronavirus impact on the economy to apply for an
Unemployment Insurance work sharing program.
California continues to work in partnership with the federal government to aid in the safe
return of 962 Californians from the Grand Princess cruise ship. This mission is centered
around protecting the health of the passengers, and ensuring that when the passengers
disembark, the public health of the United States, the State of California, and partner
communities is protected.
The Public Health Department is coordinating with federal authorities and local health
departments that have implemented screening, monitoring and, in some cases quarantine
of returning travelers.
In coordination with the CDC, state and local health departments, we are actively
responding to cases of COVID-19.
The Public Health Department is supporting hospitals and local public health laboratories
in the collection of specimens and testing for COVID-19.
The California Department of Public Health’s state laboratory in Richmond and 18 other public
health department laboratories now have tests for the virus that causes COVID-19. Eighteen of
them are currently conducting tests, with the others coming online soon.
For more the most up to date information on COVID-19 and California’s response, visit
the CDPH website.
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