Assemblymember Robert Rivas Responds to State Engaging ‘Emergency Brake’ and Limited Curfew Urges Caution for Residents Through Upcoming Holiday Season

SALINAS – On Friday, November 20 Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) responded to the California Department of Public Heath’s announcements earlier this week implementing a so-called ‘emergency brake’ and a limited curfew based on a recent, sharp increase in COVID-19 cases. All four counties in Assembly District 30—Monterey, San Benito, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz—now join 95% of all California counties placed in the most restrictive purple tier. These health and safety announcements have important implications as residents plan for the upcoming holiday seasons. “I appreciate the state’s exercise of caution at this time when cases are spiking not only here in District 30, but all across California and the United States,” Asm. Rivas said. “As we make decisions about holiday gatherings, I urge all of us to consider the health and safety of our loved ones above all else.” The California Department of Public Health reported on Thursday, November 19, that the 14-day average case positivity rate in California has increased more than 50% over the last two weeks. From November 21 through December 21, 2020, purple tier regions of California will be under a limited curfew to prevent the spread of COVID-19, banning non-essential work and gatherings between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. “Until we are able to get this virus under control, we must listen to health experts and adapt our everyday actions to protect all members of our communities,” Asm. Rivas said. “I agree with state and local officials who say that choosing between our health and our economy is a false choice. I commend local communities that have worked hard to adapt to the changing safety conditions by opening their downtown streets for outdoor dining and using other creative solutions to support small businesses. Only by working together can we protect ourselves and each other from COVID-19. I encourage the community to continue sharing your concerns with my office as we move through this process and try to address this pandemic in a safe and thoughtful way.” Contact Asm. Rivas’s office at: https://a30.asmdc.org/contact or by calling (831)759-8676. Meanwhile, always follow these basic precautions, subject to any stricter county guidelines: Wear a mask in public settings, even with friends and family outside your household Practice social distancing, at least 6 feet away from people outside your household Limit the number of gatherings with people outside your household Small gatherings permitted in your county should be well ventilated—ideally outdoors Wash your hands often, for 20-seconds each time with soap and water Stay home if you do not feel well Get a flu shot as soon as possible The state has recently issued a travel advisory: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/Travel-Advisory.aspx A limited curfew has been established by the state: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/limited-stay-at-home-order.aspx For up-to-date information on COVID-19, please go to: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – www.cdc.gov State of California – https://covid19.ca.gov/ California Department of Public Health – www.cdph.ca.gov Santa Clara County Department of Public Health – sccgov.org/sites/phd/pages/phd.aspx Monterey County Department of Health – www.mtyhd.org/2019ncov San Benito County Health & Human Services Agency – https://hhsa.cosb.us/publichealth/ Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency – santacruzhealth.org