Business Recovery Update 11.20.20
Published on Nov 20, 2020 09:17

You are receiving this newsletter because you are listed in the City of Rohnert Park's Emergency e-Contact Database. The City respects your time and will only send important and/or time sensitive information. If you have questions please contact us at 707-588-2290 or email [email protected]. Please also visit our Business Recovery page at https://www.rpcity.org/business_resources/business_recovery
 
City Updates
 
Today, we want to make sure that all our businesses know that the City of Rohnert Park will continue to work with you to ensure compliance with state and county health orders BEFORE issuing citations for violations. With only a few exceptions every business that has collaborated with city staff has gained full compliance and is enjoying smooth, productive operations.
 
And yet, unfortunately, violations can occur. The Press Democrat recently published an article about a $1,000 administrative citation issued to a Rohnert Park business for violation of COVID-19 safety protocols. The article is available at this website:
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/news/rohnert-park-eatery-fined-1000-amid-fading-hopes-for-easing-sonoma-county/. 
 
We want to take this opportunity to emphasize to our business partners that the City of Rohnert Park is committed to upholding county and state guidelines for outdoor business operations during the COVID-19 outbreak and pandemic. Our responsibility is to keep residents and visitors as safe as possible when they go out into the community. County and State guidelines are listed below:
 
The Sonoma County Urgency Ordinance establishes guidelines for businesses to follow and describes conditions of violations as well as fine amounts. The County Urgency Ordinance may be found at the following website:
https://socoemergency.org/urgency-ordinance-authorizing-enforcement-of-covid-19-health-orders/
 
Additionally, the State of California's public health order details the requirements for businesses conducting outdoor operations, and is available at the following website:
https://www.scmtd.com/images/department/coronavirus/2020_July_13_SHO_Order_Dimming_Entire_State.pdf
 
As noted, the City works in partnership with local businesses to ensure compliance with county and state requirements. To the maximum extent possible, we make an effort to educate, inform, and work collaboratively with businesses to gain compliance, but may issue administrative citations in the event that collaborative efforts prove unsuccessful. In the sad and difficult circumstances of the COVID-19 outbreak, it is essential that we minimize the risk to individuals, residents, visitors, family members and loved ones by following the county health order to wear masks and maintain social distancing. The County of Sonoma has set up 3 ways to report non-emergency violations of the county health order if you feel compelled and comfortable to do so:
 
- call 1-833-SAFE707 (1-833-723-3707)
- email [email protected]
- report violations through the SoCo Report It app, available at this website: 
https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/Services/SoCo-Report-It/Submit-a-Service-Request/
 
The City of Rohnert Park is proud to lead the way as one of the safest cities in Sonoma County. When you and your loved ones go out into our community, you can feel confident that our city and our businesses are partnered together to achieve compliant spaces that minimize the risk of exposure to COVID-19. 
 
State Updates
 
The latest risk levels by county and the status of various business activities around the state are available at the following URL: https://covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/


The City of Rohnert Park is committed to providing its residents and businesses with accurate information, resources and alerts during the COVID-19 outbreak and pandemic. Be safe, make good choices and take care of one another.
RPSEAL