San Juan County Health Officer: Issues Order to Prevent Spread of COVID-19
Posted March 25, 2020 at 6:15 pm by Peggy Sue McRae
Today, Wednesday March 25, 2020, San Juan County Health Officer, Dr. Frank James, MD, issued an immediate order to restrict non-essential travel to San Juan County, control contact with playgrounds and playground equipment, and limit transient accommodations and camping. Travel and lodging for individuals engaged in essential activities or providing essential services may continue. The full order can be found here: https://www.sanjuanco.com/DocumentCenter/View/20042/San-Juan-County-Health-Officer-Order-2020-1
The order effective immediately and is set to expire on April 30, but will be revisited on April 6 and may be extended or amended as dictated by the situation.
“This order is necessary to control and prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in San Juan County. This order has been made to protect all citizens but especially our most vulnerable islanders,” said Dr. James.
Dr. James added, “This was an extremely difficult decision and one I do not take lightly. This will impact many of our local businesses and our islands’ residents. In my professional judgement, it is necessary to reduce the spread of this infection and move toward ending this pandemic. Every case prevented now is magnified into the future. Those individual cases will multiply many times and each one we prevent will save many lives as the exponential growth in cases occurs.”
More details and frequently asked questions on the San Juan County order and the recent Governor’s Stay Home order may be viewed here: https://www.sanjuanco.com/DocumentCenter/View/20043/Stay-at-Home-Orders-FAQ
The County Health Order builds upon Governor’s Proclamation 20-25, Stay Home – Stay Safe, issued on March 23, 2020. The Governor’s Order can be read here: https://www.governor.wa.gov/sites/default/files/proclamations/20-25%20Coronovirus%20Stay%20Safe-Stay%20Healthy%20%28tmp%29%20%28002%29.pdf
There is a provision for exceptions for essential services:
https://www.coronavirus.wa.gov/whats-open-and-closed/essential-business
San Juan County health officials remind islanders that if you feel sick and have mild symptoms, stay home. If you feel you have more serious symptoms or if you are at risk for severe illness, stay home and call your health provider. Do not report to a clinic or to the hospital. Follow your doctor or health professional’s direction. If you feel the situation is urgent and life threatening, call 911.
For more information please visit our informational webpage at www.sjccovid.com
This website is updated as new information becomes available. You can also visit the San Juan County Health and Community Services Facebook page. For help with answering specific questions about the San Juan County Health Officer Order that aren’t answered on our FAQ, email [email protected].
You can support the San Juan Update by doing business with our loyal advertisers, and by making a one-time contribution or a recurring donation.
Categories: Around Here, Community, Government, Health & Wellness
No comments yet. Be the first!
By submitting a comment you grant the San Juan Update a perpetual license to reproduce your words and name/web site in attribution. Inappropriate, irrelevant and contentious comments may not be published at an admin's discretion. Your email is used for verification purposes only, it will never be shared.