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Efforts to slow the local spread of coronavirus escalated Wednesday, with Ventura County public health officials ordering several restrictions leading to the temporary closures of certain businesses and shelter-in-place orders for vulnerable populations.

The order requires all Ventura County residents age 75 and older to shelter in place through April 1. The shelter-in-place order also applies to residents age 70 and older with underlying health issues.

Those ordered to shelter in place will still be allowed to travel outdoors as long as they maintain a distance of six feet from every other person. The shelter-in-place order restricts all public travel except for essential reasons such as medical care, nutrition or to perform necessary work in the fields of government or healthcare.

In response to the new restrictions, many city governments across the county closed their city halls from public access, though employees were still permitted to work on site.

Cities participating in the temporary closures include Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Ojai, Oxnard, Thousand Oaks and Ventura. Each city continues to offer services online or over the phone. More information can be found on the city's respective websites.

Simi Valley plans to close its city hall to the public beginning Thursday, while Port Hueneme will close city hall on Friday, officials said.

Santa Paula city officials said as of Wednesday that its Parks and Recreation programs including the senior center, youth center and front desk were closed until at least March 31.

The Santa Paula council was set to meet Wednesday night to consider additional closures, according to Jackie Nuñez in the city manager's office. Any updates will be posted on the city's website, she added.

Coronavirus in Ventura County:8-year-old child's COVID-19 case increases need for community precautions, officials say

The county's public health order also instructed all bars and restaurants to restrict food options to take-out, delivery or drive-through services exclusively. All bars and nightclubs that do not prepare food will be ordered to close through April 1.

Closures were also ordered for all gyms, fitness centers, public pools, movie theaters, performance venues, bowling alleys, arcades, wineries, breweries and tap rooms.

The closures will be in place for two weeks, from Wednesday through April 1, unless the Ventura County Public Health officials announce otherwise.

Six new cases of COVID-19 investigated:Ventura County ramps up efforts to fight outbreak

Those found not in compliance with the public health order may face legal consequences. A violation is considered a misdemeanor with the possibility of a fine, imprisonment or both, the order says.

On Tuesday, Ventura County Public Health officials announced six additional presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 were under investigation. The cases had not been verified with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Five of the cases appear to be caused by community transmission, local public health officials said Wednesday, although the cases await confirmation by the CDC.In total, 10 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Ventura County, with only one confirmed with the CDC. One case involving an 8-year-old child had been reported positive but later walked back as further testing showed negative. The case is under investigation by the CDC.

Jeremy Childs is a breaking news and public safety reporter covering the night shift for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached by calling 805-437-0208 or emailing jeremy.childs@vcstar.com.