San Rafael, CA – Today, 03/17/20, starting at 12:01am, Marin County’s Public Health Officer Dr. Matt Willis, along with the public health officers of six other Bay Area jurisdictions, issued a legal order directing residents to shelter at home for the next three weeks.  The order limits activity, travel and business functions to only the most essential needs.  The public health order extends to April 7, 2020, at 11:59pm.

It is understandable that there are many questions revolving around the public health order.  Marin County Health and Human Services has created a website for the COVID-19 epidemic that includes a list of frequently asked questions.  Marin County HHS has also implemented a phone number for public inquiries at 415-473-7191 that will operate Monday through Friday from 9:30am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm.  Marin County HHS also provides TDD/TTY services at 415-473-3232.

If you have questions about the public health order please visit the Marin County HHS website or call the COVID-19 phone number.  Please do not call 9-1-1 or our non-emergency lines with questions about the order.  Our call takers and dispatchers have exactly the same documents and information that are provided through Marin County Health and Human Services.

Again, public safety is our top priority and we have made minor service modifications:

• If you feel the need to conduct business at the police department, we would prefer a telephone call from your home first.  If you must come to the police department you may pick up the telephone located just outside the lobby entrance and you’ll be immediately connected to a dispatcher.  9-1-1 and all non-emergency phone lines will continue to function as usual.

• Officers will take police reports by telephone if at all possible, in order to reduce the need for in-person contact or responding to your residence.  However, a phone report may not be feasible for all crimes. We do ask that you consider the necessity for a report during the time of the Public Health Order.

We are taking the COVID-19 pandemic seriously and will enforce the Public Health Order as applicable.  Officers may issue citations when there is a violation.  It is important we all abide by the order and precautions to ensure the safety of everyone. Our goal is to get through this together and as safely as possible. Chief Bishop said, “We would prefer to gain the public’s cooperation and avoid any necessary enforcement.” 

Questions about the Public Health Order can be found at https://coronavirus.marinhhs.org/. 

The Public Health Order can be found at here or https://www.srpd.org/downloads/public-health-order-march31.pdf

For the most up to date information, you can access the following websites:

• San Rafael Police Department website at www.srpd.org
• City of San Rafael COVID-19 website at www.cityofsanrafael.org/coronavirus
• Marin County Health and Human Services website at www.marinhhs.org/public-health
• California Department of Public Health website at www.cdph.ca.gov
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.org.