Mayor Steinberg: County order to stay home is 'common sense'

Sacramento County on Thursday issued an order requiring people to stay home unless engaged in essential activities. People can still go outside to run, walk or bike as long as they stay a safe distance of 6 feet from others.

The order was announced during a press conference featuring Sacramento County Health Services Director Peter Beilenson, Supervisor Phil Serna, Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones and Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert..

“To slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, the legal order limits activities, travel and business functions to only the most essential needs with the overarching goal being to slow the spread of Covid-19 and to flatten the curve so that hospitals and other medical facilities are not overwhelmed with a wave of sick people,” Beilensen said.

While the order carries the force of law, both Jones and Schubert said they don’t want to see people arrested, but will instead focus on education and voluntary compliance.

The order follows a voluntary directive issued by the county on Tuesday.

Mayor Darrell Steinberg said he supported making the directive an order.

“This is common sense. People need to stay indoors, and yet the order provides enough reasonable exceptions so that people can continue to engage in essential activities. I urge everyone to read it because it is self explanatory. It is exactly the right thing.”