RESTRICTION OF SHORT-TERM RENTALS IN SIERRA COUNTY HOTELS, MOTELS, HOMES, RV PARKS, AIRBNB, VRBO AND ANY OTHER TRANSIENT RENTALS OF LESS THAN 30 DAYS IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 THREAT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 23, 2020- The COVID-19 pandemic poses a looming threat to the health and safety of the people of Sierra County. At this time, the Sierra County Public Health Officer has issued an order limiting the use of all short-term rentals to specific purposes consistent with the Governor’s “Stay At Home” order. This action is consistent with efforts across the United States and California. Our response efforts seek to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus and decrease the overall impact on physical, emotional and mental impact on individuals, families, healthcare workers, all of which place strains on medical facilities and the local economy.

To fight the spread of COVID-19 on March 19, 2020, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N- 33-20, commonly called the “Stay at Home” order, requiring all persons residing in the State to remain in their homes or places of residence, except as needed to maintain the continuity of operations for critical infrastructure. The Order does not have a specific end date.
The Guidance provided by the Governor’s Office lists specific jobs and functions within those critical infrastructure sectors deemed “necessary.” This includes hotels and lodging activities related to isolating or quarantining persons infected with or exposed to the COVID-19 virus, or housing workers performing jobs deemed essential to maintaining critical infrastructure. This does not include vacation or “get away” destinations that are not normal places of residence. Summary list of essential business in our communities:

•   Gas Stations
•   Grocery Stores
•   Child Care Providers
•   Restaurants offering Take-out Only
•   Hardware Stores
•   Some County Offices
•   Lodging for Essential Workers

Human travel promotes the spread of disease and the presence of visitors in Sierra County has the potential to exacerbate the spread of the disease and the anticipated strain on our limited healthcare facilities caused by COVID-19. Unnecessary activities, including travel to resort areas such as Downieville, Sierra City, Sierraville and Lakes Basin Recreation Area, have been restricted by the Governor in order to prevent the spread of the disease in a manner and at a pace that overwhelms the State and Sierra Counties ability to respond.
We, and the State recognized the potential need to allow the use of hotels and other facilities for emergency service workers, essential service works, for displaced residents needing shelter, for traveler safety, and other response and mitigation efforts related to COVID-19. These types of uses are allowed.
We understand the uncertainty that exists with the Governor’s Order as it does not provide an end date. To this end, the guidance from the Town/County Unified Incident Command is to plan for this Restriction to be in place at least through April 30, 2020. The spread of COVID-19 and the associated impact on the health care system is being closely monitored.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we stand together to beat this disease.
Celia Sutton-Pado, MD Public Health Officer
For more information, please go to: http://sierracounty.ca.gov/582/Coronavirus-COVID-19 

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