Shelter in Place Order Still in Effect
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Release Date/Time: 1/13/2021 4:25 PM Release Authorized by: Assistance Chief Filice The Shelter in Place order has been in effect for approximately ten months and it requires everyone to stay home except for essential needs. The intent of the order is to ensure that we all follow the recommended guidelines to reduce the spread of the coronavirus in our community. Over the past several weeks Salinas PD has been responding to calls dealing with "Non-Essential" businesses being open and many calls with large gatherings/parties in homes, city parks and people and/or businesses not adhering to the Shelter in Place Order. It has been Salinas Police Department's intent to educate and inform people of the Shelter in Place Order by giving them warnings, but there are times when warnings do not work, and we have had to take enforcement action. Violation of the Order is a misdemeanor and is covered under the California Health and Safety Code 120295. A violation can result in a fine or jail time. During the past several weeks including the holidays, we have seen a surge in Covid-19 cases that place Salinas as the city with the highest number of positive Covid-19 cases in the county. This increase in numbers is partly due to the large private gatherings and disregard for the Shelter in Place Order restrictions by some. We have learned that practicing social distancing and restricting people from gathering in groups is one of the best ways to fight the virus and save lives. Although it is not our primary focus to cite or arrest people for violating the order, Salinas Police will increase our enforcement efforts of the Shelter in Place order while it is in effect which could result in issuing a citation or making an arrest when appropriate. Our goal is to stop the spread of COVID-19 and begin the road to normalcy. With the vaccine being administered as we speak, we hope we are headed in that direction. Please do not let your guard down. Avoid large gatherings, continue to practice social distancing, wear your mask and wash your hands often. Let's all be part of the solution and save lives. |
222 Lincoln Avenue