SAN JOSE, CA – On December 3rd, Governor Newsom announced a Regional Stay-At-Home-Order which states that all sectors other than retail and essential operations would be closed in regions of the State where less than 15% of ICU beds are available. In an urgent action driven by a need for stricter measures to stop the spread of the virus, the Health Officers for the Counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, and Santa Clara, as well as the City of Berkeley, jointly announced that they will proactively implement the State’s Regional-Stay-At-Home-Order. Most of the Bay Area Health Officers will implement this order as of Sunday, December 6th, 2020. The Regional-Stay-At-Home-Order for Santa Clara County is scheduled to take effect at 12:01 a.m. this Sunday, December 6th. The new restriction will remain in effect until January 4th, 2021.
Santa Clara County remains in the Purple or Widespread Tier, as defined by the Blueprint for a Safer Economy. The Regional Stay at Home order does not change previous school reopening guidance for those counties in the Purple Tier. Santa Clara County schools that have already re-opened to in-person instruction when the county was in a less restrictive tier can continue to operate as long as they follow the protocols that the state and county have put forward for the safe operation of in-person instruction. Schools that were in the process of a phased return to in-person instruction that have already been scheduled and put in place, can continue their phased opening of school campuses. Schools may also offer in-person instruction and services to small cohorts under the California Department of Public Health guidelines for small cohorts. Schools must maintain strict adherence to the guidelines provided by the Public Health Department, as listed in the Reopening of Santa Clara County K-12 Schools. Santa Clara County schools that have not reopened for in-person instruction cannot open and must wait until the county has been in the Substantial (Red) Tier for 14 days. The process for obtaining an elementary school reopening waiver is the same as was practiced in August and September. The Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) also offers the Stronger Together website as a resource for school districts as they navigate through the pandemic. Please refer to this press release for more information.
“To slow the spread of COVID-19, it is absolutely crucial to the health and safety of our community and others to limit contact, be consistent about wearing protective equipment especially face coverings, remain vigilant about personal health and hygiene, and stay aware and responsive to the dire nature of this very communicable illness,” said Santa Clara County Superintendent Dr. Mary Ann Dewan. “Our unified effort in partnership with the districts and schools in Santa Clara County and the surrounding Bay Area counties will continue to reflect our commitment and diligence in maintaining the health and safety of our students, staff, and families.”
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About the Santa Clara County Office of Education
Working collaboratively with school and community partners, the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE) is a regional service agency that provides instructional, business, and technology services to the 31 school districts of Santa Clara County. The County Office of Education directly serves students through special education programs, alternative schools, Head Start and State Preschool programs, migrant education, and Opportunity Youth Academy. The SCCOE also provides academic and fiscal oversight and monitoring to districts in addition to the 22 Santa Clara County Board of Education authorized charter schools.