Social Distancing

Yes.  Be extremely cautious when providing care to vulnerable people and ensure that you protect them and yourself by following social distancing guidelines such as washing hands before and after, using hand sanitizer, maintaining at least 6 feet of distance when possible, and coughing or sneezing into a tissue. 

Sheltering in place is a more rigorous form of social distancing. 

Sheltering in place means you: 

• Must stay at home 
• Can only leave your home for “essential activities,” to work for an “essential business,” to perform “minimum basic operations” for your employer, or for “essential travel,” as those terms are defined in the new Order (you can also see the FAQs for details) 
• Cannot host or attend any gatherings 

You should also maintain at least 6 feet of separation from other people who are not in your household, wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds each time (or use hand sanitizer), cough or sneeze into a tissue or your sleeve (not into your hands), and stay home if you are sick. 

Source: Marin HHS, CDC

The term “shelter in place” means to stay in your home and not leave unless necessary for one of the exceptions listed in the Order.

Social distancing is the same thing as physical distancing, which is a practice recommended by public health officials to stop or slow down the spread of contagious diseases. It requires the creation of physical space between individuals who may spread certain infectious diseases. The key is to minimize the number of gatherings as much as possible and to achieve space between individuals when events or activities cannot be modified, postponed, or canceled. Achieving space between individuals of approximately six feet (or more) is advisable.

Social distancing is recommended because the virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet). If you are leaving your home, you should practice physical distancing to protect youself from COVID-19.