PLEASE NOTE: This page is an active information page. As information is provided by the local work groups, health professionals and the State, it will be updated and added here.
Blueprint for a Safer Economy
California has a blueprint for reducing COVID-19 in the state with revised criteria for loosening and tightening restrictions on activities. Every county in California is assigned to a tier based on its test positivity and adjusted case rate. Data is reviewed weekly and tiers are updated on Tuesdays. To move forward, a county must meet the next tier’s criteria for two consecutive weeks. If a county’s metrics worsen for two consecutive weeks, it will be assigned a more restrictive tier.
Butte County is in the PURPLE tier of the Blueprint for a Safer Economy.
Regional Stay at Home Order
On Thursday, December 3rd, Governor Newsom announced criteria for how regions of California will be evaluated for another Stay at Home Order based on ICU bed capacity. The Governor has divided California into five regions. When a regions ICU capacity drops below 15% that region will have 24 hours to adhere to the Stay at Home Order. Butte County is part of region "Greater Sacramento" as defined by the Governor.
How are the regions determined?
The regions were determined by how counties typically request mutual aid from nearby counties during emergencies, hospital system connections and overall proximity. It’s important to note that some counties within a region have a larger population than others. This means they also have more ICU beds to reflect their population.
Workplaces Guidance for COVID-19 Exposure & Diagnosis:
To determine when an employee who has been exposed to COVID or tested positive for COVID may return to work, please refer to the Butte County Guidance for Employers Regarding COVID Exposure. For additional information please refer to the following:
(click to view) Employer Playbook for Safe Reopening
(click to view) Returning to Work/School Following COVID-19 Diagnosis
(click to view) COVID FAQs for Employers
(click to view) COVID Exposure: What Should I Do?
(click to view) Local Self-Certification placard
COVID-19 Workplace Outbreak Reporting
AB685 is a new California law that requires employers to notify employees/workers who may have been exposed to COVID-19 and to report workplace outbreaks to the local health department. A workplace outbreak is defined when an employer identifies 3 or more cases of COVID-19 at a worksite within a 14-day period - the employer is required to report this to their local health department within 48 hours.
Please note: this report is only for businesses and should not be used by the general public to report a business that may have infected workers.
Return to work letters no longer provided
To determine when an employee who has been exposed to COVID or tested positive for COVID may return to work, please refer to the Butte County Guidance for Employers Regarding COVID Exposure. Butte County Public Health (BCPH) will no longer provide return to work or release from isolation or quarantine letters for employers or employees. Due to a sharp increase in cases in Butte County, COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing must be prioritized to prevent outbreaks, stop chains of transmission and respond to cases in persons at highest risk for complications. Because of this prioritization, BCPH may not have specific information about your employee’s COVID infection and will not be able to confirm their release from quarantine or isolation.
COVID-19 Industry Guidance & Assistance
Businesses should review the State’s COVID-19 industry guidance to ensure that all modifications and mitigation measures are in place to prevent the spread of the virus:
What should remain closed in Butte County
The following sectors, businesses, establishments, or activities are not permitted to operate in the State of California at this time:
- Hair Salons and Barbershops
- Personal Care Services
- Bars, breweries, and distilleries
- Live audience sports
- Amusement Parks
- Movie Theatres (except drive-in)
- Museums, Zoos and Aquariums
- Adult Recreational sports
- Athletic Fields
- Indoor Recreational Facilities such as bounce centers, ball pits and laser tag
- Family entertainment centers
- Live theater
- Saunas and steam rooms
- Nightclubs
- Cardrooms and satellite wagering
- Concert venues
- Festivals
- Theme parks
Sectors not listed above will have additional modifications in addition to 100% masking and physical distancing. For a full list, and more information on the Regional Stay At Home Order, please visit, https://covid19.ca.gov/stay-home-except-for-essential-needs/#regional-stay-home-order.
When can schools reopen?
The Regional Stay at Home Order does not modify existing school guidance. Schools that are open for in person instruction may continue to provide in-person instruction as permitted.
As of Tuesday, October 13, 2020, all schools in Butte County may choose to open for in-person instruction effective immediately. Schools who choose to open for in-person instruction must follow the State COVID-19 Guidance for Schools and School Based Programs. The State guidance applies to all schools reopening for in-person instruction including public (traditional and charter) and private schools.
When Reopening in Butte County:
As the State announces reopening guidance for new sectors permitted to reopen Statewide and additional sectors that may reopen in counties with a local variance once approved by the local Health Officer, the County reminds businesses that in addition to the State reopening guidance all businesses and facilities should also:
- Establish and implement a COVID-19 Prevention Plan (CPP) pursuant to an Emergency Temporary Standard in
place for COVID-19 (California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 8, section
3205(c). Guidance materials are available at:
www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/coronavirus/
- Post a local self-certification window placard in a visible location once all reopening measures have been met.
- Require employees to wear face coverings when interacting with members of the public, working in any space visited by members of the public, working in any space where food is prepared or packaged for sale or distribution to others, working in or walking through common areas, such as hallways, stairways, elevators, and parking facilities, and in any room or enclosed area where other people (except for members of the person’s own household or residence) are present when unable to physically distance.
- Maintain a log if possible, including: customer or participant name, contact information, and time of visit when practicle that may be provided to Butte County Public Health to assist in contact tracing.
Individuals Actions:
- Anyone who is feeling ill should stay home.
- Vulnerable (high risk) individuals – should continue to follow the State’s Stay-at-Home Order.
- Wear face coverings – individuals are required to wear a face covering when in public. See face covering guidance.
- Continue physical distancing – When in public, maximize physical distance from others (at least six feet).
- Maintain good hygiene practices – Washing hands, use hand sanitizer, cleaning frequently touched surfaces, covering coughs and sneezes.
- Gatherings – Effective December 10th at 11:59 pm, the Regional Stay at Home Order prohibits
private gatherings of any size Indoors.
Cloth face coverings help reduce the spread of coronavirus especially when combined with physical distancing and frequent hand washing. Starting June 18, Californians must wear face coverings in common and public indoor spaces and outdoors when distancing is not possible.
A significant portion of individuals with coronavirus lack symptoms (“asymptomatic”) and that even those who eventually develop symptoms (“pre-symptomatic”) can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms.This means that the virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity—for example, speaking, coughing, or sneezing—even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms.
Cloth Face Covering Safety Measures:
- Wash your hands before putting on a face covering
- Don’t touch your face or the face covering during usage
- Wash the face covering before using it again
- Face coverings are not a substitute for staying home or social distancing, especially when ill.
- The purchase of N95 respirator masks should be reserved for healthcare workers and first responders.
A cloth face covering is a material that covers the nose and mouth. It can be secured to the head with ties or straps or simply wrapped around the lower face. It can be made of a variety of materials, such as cotton, silk, or linen. A cloth face covering may be factory-made or sewn by hand, or can be improvised from household items such as scarfs, T-shirts, sweatshirts, or towels.
If you don't have a cloth face covering, you can make your own!