HEALTH OFFICER ORDER FOR THE CONTROL OF 
DIRECTING VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN
THE COUNTY TO SHELTER AT THEIR PLACE OF RESIDENCE,
RESTRICTIONS OF CERTAIN BUSINESSES, AMONG OTHER ORDERS
DATE OF ORDER: MARCH 17, 2020

Please read this Order carefully. Violation of or failure to comply with this Order is a
misdemeanor punishable by ?ne, imprisonment, or both, pursuant to Health and Safety
Code section 120295 et seq.

WHEREAS, the intent of this Order is to strengthen the steps the County of Ventura has already
taken to protect our residents and particularly the most vulnerable in our population from
and

WHEREAS, on March 15, 2020 Governor Gavin Newsom announced that California is taking
additional measures to protect those most at risk of serious, life-threatening complications from
COVID-19, including urging those most vulnerable to COVID-19 to socially isolate at home,
such as people age 65 and older and those with underlying medical conditions that make them
more susceptible to serious illness from the coronavirus; and

WHEREAS, the intent of this Order is to ensure that speci?ed individuals self?isolate in their
places of residence to the maximum extent feasible to slow the spread of COVID-19 to the
maximum extent possible, and all provisions of this Order should be interpreted to effectuate this

intent; and

WHEREAS, social isolation is considered useful as a tool to control the spread of pandemic
Viral infections; and

WHEREAS, social isolation is the shared responsibility of all individuals in the County; and

WHEREAS, this Order is issued based on evidence of increasing occurrence of COVID-19
within the County and scienti?c evidence that the age, condition, and health of a signi?cant
portion of the population of the County places it at risk for serious health complications,
including death, from and

WHEREAS, the scienti?c evidence shows that at this stage of the emergency, it is essential to
slow virus transmission as much as possible to protect the most vulnerable and to prevent the
health care system from being overwhelmed and that one proven way to slow the transmission is
to limit interactions among people to the greatest extent practicable;

WHEREAS, by reducing the spread of the virus, this Order also helps preserve
critical and limited healthcare capacity in the County; and

WHEREAS, this Order comes after the release of substantial guidance from the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, the California Department of Public Health, and other public

health of?cials throughout the United States and around the world, including a variety of prior
orders to combat the spread and harms of 

NOW, THEREFORE, PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 101040, 101085 AND 120175 OF
THE HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AS FOLLOWS:

1. All individuals currently living within Ventura County, equal to or older than 75 years of
age, or equal to or older than 70 years of age with an active or unstable comorbidity, are
ordered to shelter at their place of residence from March 18, 2020 to April 1, 2020. To
the extent such individuals are using shared or outdoor spaces, they must at all times as
reasonably possible maintain physical distancing of at least six feet ?'om any other
person. Exceptions shall only exist as necessary to seek medical care, nutrition, or to
perform essential work in healthcare or government.

2. A11 permanent food facilities, as de?ned by Health and Safety Code 113849, may only
prepare and offer food that is provided to customers via delivery service, via pick-up for
takeout dining, and via drive?thru. Bars and that offer food to consumers may
remain open only for purposes of continuing to prepare and offer food to consumers via
delivery service, via pick-up, or via drive?thru. Permanent food facilities that provide and
offer food to consumers for pick up must require patrons or groups of patrons who are
ordering food and beverages to be and remain at least six (6) feet apart from each other
while inside the facility.

3. The following types of businesses are ordered to close (March 18, 2020 to April 1, 2020):
a. Bars and that do not serve food.
b. Movie theaters, live performance venues, bowling alleys, and arcades.
c. Gyms, and ?tness centers, and aquatic centers.
(1. Wineries, breweries, and tap rooms that provide tastings.

4. This Order is issued in accordance with, and incorporates by reference, the March 4,
2020 Proclamation of a State of Emergency issued by Governor Newsom, the March 12,
2020 Declaration of Local Health Emergency issued by the Health Of?cer, the March 17,
2020 Resolution of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Ventura Proclaiming a
Local Emergency and Ratifying and Extending the Declaration of a Local Health
Emergency, the March 12, 2020 State of California Executive Order N-25-20, and the
March 16, 2020 California Department of Public Health guidance on Retail Food,
Beverage, and Other Related Service Venues.

5. The Violation of any provision of this Order constitutes a threat to public health. Pursuant
to Government Code sections 26602 and 41601 and Health and Safety Code section
101029, the Health Of?cer requests that the Sheriff and all chiefs of police in the County
ensure compliance with and enforce this Order.

6. This Order shall become effective at 12:01 am. on March 18, 2020 and will continue to
be in effect until 11:59 pm. on April 1, 2020, or until it is extended, rescinded,
superseded, or amended in writing by the Health Of?cer.

7. The Health Of?cer will continue to assess the quickly evolving situation and may issue
additional Orders related to COVID-19.

8. Copies of this Order shall be: (1) made available at the County of Ventura
Public Health Of?ce at 2240 East Gonzalez Road, ste. 210, Oxnard, California 93036; (2)
posted on the County Public Health Department website (available at
and (3) provided to any member of the public requesting a copy of
this Order.

9. If any provision of this Order or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is
held to be invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the reminder of the Order,
including the application of such part or provision to other persons or circumstances,
shall not be affected and shall continue in full force and effect. To this end, the
provisions of this Order are severable.

IT IS SO ORDERED:

Robert Levin, M.D.
Ventura County Health Of?cer

Dated: March 17, 2020

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