Press Release

Friday, April 24, 2020

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update #13 Stanislaus County Issues Update Health Order

The Stanislaus County Health Officer has issued a new and updated stay-at-home order on April 24, 2020, which supersedes the previous order issued on March 31, 2020.

The new order by Stanislaus County Health Officer Dr. Julie Vaishampayan clarifies, strengthens, and extends certain terms of the prior shelter order in an effort to further slow the spread and transmission of the COVID-19 virus throughout the county.

This new order, along with N-33-20 issued by Governor Newsom, must be followed by all members of the public including all aspects of city governance. City of Turlock staff and members of city council are also bound to the terms of the order and do not possess the authority or ability to make the orders less restrictive. See the complete order at: http://schsa.org/PublicHealth/pages/corona-virus/pdf/health-order-apr-22-en.pdf

While the prior order has been effective in reducing the rate of transmission of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the rate of spread continues. There has been a significant increase in the number of positive cases, and an additional death from COVID-19, over the last week.

The updated order is a complement to the indefinite statewide stay-at-home order issued by Governor Gavin Newsom on March 19, 2020. Like the previous local order, the new order requires people to stay at home except for doing essential activities, such as grocery shopping, picking up prescriptions, etc. Non-essential businesses will remain closed.

To clarify the City of Turlock cannot by law ease the restrictions set forth by the federal or state government nor the orders of the county health officer. Turlock however, does have the authority and obligation to enact more stringent guidelines deemed necessary for the safety and well-being of the citizens of Turlock.

In an effort to comply with the new health order and provide for the public, the City of Turlock will begin a phase approach to reopening some public spaces. Effective today, April 24, 2020 the city will be reopening all open spaces, walking and biking paths, and dog parks. The playgrounds, restrooms tennis, volleyball, basketball, and other similar courts remain closed at this time. The city encourages everyone who wishes to visit a park to utilize one near their residence. This will help comply with the social distancing order and not overload any one city park. Please take your own hand sanitizer with you when utilizing the above-named spaces and locations.

The city is actively monitoring the progress of the COVID-19 pandemic and following the orders of the Stanislaus County Health Officer along with the order of the California Governor to provide the highest level of service to the citizens, business owners, and public while maintaining public health protection.
Social distancing remains the most powerful tool to slow the spread of COVID-19, a virus so new that it has no approved medicines or vaccines.
Essential businesses that continue to operate facilities must scale down operations to their essential component only.






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