SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — Santa Cruz County has issued a shelter in place order from Tuesday, March 17 to Tuesday, April 7 in hopes to slow the spread of the new coronavirus. Residents are ordered to go in public only for essential activities such as getting groceries, health care, child care and medications.

Nine cases of the virus have been confirmed in Santa Cruz County as of Monday. The county is considered to have community spread, since public health officials are unsure of how some patients became infected. The news came hours after six counties in the immediate Bay Area announced a similar order.

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Santa Cruz County said in a statement that it is permissible for people to leave the house for facilities related to the following activities defined as essential: law and safety; essential government services; health care; pharmacies; child care; farming; groceries; food retailers; telecommunications; reduced capacity restaurants; hotels; social services; establishments; agencies that service the needy; gas stations; banks; laundry businesses; safety and sanitation businesses.

(See the full list in the order embedded below.)

The county said it is working to create contingency plans to protect vulnerable and needy residents, and ensure their needs are met.

Soon after the shelter in place order, the Santa Cruz Police Department notified the public that its front lobby would be closed until further notice.

Two weeks ago Santa Cruz County issued a Local Health Emergency for the new coronavirus due to concerns about its spread in neighboring counties and a need to prepare for a potential outbreak.

Anyone with concerns about their health should contact their doctor or call 211 to find a local clinic. The county encourages the public to visit santacruzhealth.org/coronavirus for local updates and links to important CDC updates. Gov. Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency to provide additional resources, prevent price gouging and help the state better prepare for the virus's spread.