Monterey County District Attorney’s Office will Enforce New Regional Stay At Home Order Now in Effect in Monterey County

Because Monterey County hospitals are nearing ICU capacity due to the current surge in COVID 19 cases locally, Monterey County is now subject to the new Regional Stay at Home order as of Sunday, December 13, 2020 at 10:00 p.m. The Monterey County District Attorney’s Office will file violations of the new Regional Stay Home Order investigated by law enforcement agencies provable beyond a reasonable doubt, and will conduct investigations of businesses to ensure compliance, including businesses previously contacted concerning previous orders. It is critical that businesses familiarize themselves with these new orders and ensure they are operating in compliance. The new Regional Stay at Home Order, dated December 3, 2020, issued by the Acting State Public Health Officer is available here. A Supplement to the new Regional Stay at Home Order, dated December 6, 2020, issued by the Acting State Public Health Officer is available here. The Monterey County Health Officer’s Order, dated December 9, 2020, implementing the new Regional Stay at Home Order, is available here. The new Regional Stay and Home Order prohibits all gatherings with members of other households. These restrictions will be in effect at least through January 11, 2021 and may be further extended, rescinded, superseded or amended in writing by the Monterey County Health Officer, or may be further extended if the Bay Area regional ICU capacity reaches the 15% threshold. Employers should also be aware of new Cal/OSHA emergency regulations pertaining to COVID 19, which are available here. Violations of these public health orders carry potential criminal and civil liability. Businesses that violate these orders are liable for civil penalties for unfair competition. It is incumbent on businesses to educate themselves on these most recent rules and to comply with these orders. District Attorney Jeannine Pacioni stated: “Since the shelter-in-place and stay at home orders went into effect nearly nine months ago, my office has responded to over 300 complaints that businesses are operating in violation of the public health orders. The vast majority of businesses quickly came into compliance and expressed understanding and solidarity with these public health orders. Together as a community we must continue to do everything in our power to reverse the current surge in cases to prevent our hospitals from being overwhelmed.” Complaints that businesses are violating these public health orders may be sent to the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office, Consumer Protection Division at: consumercomplaints@co.monterey.ca.us or quejasdelconsumidor@co.monterey.ca.us or (831) 647-7770. Complaints that restaurants are violating these public health orders may be sent to the Monterey County Health Department, Consumer Health Protection unit: here or call (831) 755-4505. Complaints that employers or employees are not complying with quarantine restrictions may be sent to Cal/OSHA by sending the information listed here to DOSHFremont@dir.ca.gov or by calling (510) 794-2521. Complaints that individuals are gathering in violation of these public health orders should be referred to the applicable local police department or Sheriff’s Office.