Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — Governor Lifts Stay-at-Home Order

Governor Lifts Stay-at-Home Order
The California Department of Public Health issued guidance today lifting the Regional Stay at Home Order due to projected increasing ICU capacity. All California counties will return to the Blueprint for a Safer Economy and color-coded tiers. Santa Barbara County has returned to the Purple Tier and a Health Officer Order outlining the specific restrictions and allowances for Santa Barbara County businesses and residents will be issued. This Health Officer Order will take effect at 8 a.m. on January 26, 2021.

 

Santa Barbara County will continue to restrict gatherings of any size at this time.

 

Some additional businesses, which may reopen outdoors with modifications in the purple tier include personal care services, restaurants, gyms and fitness centers, movie theaters, museums, and zoos and aquariums. For more information about changes in the purple tier, visit https://publichealthsbc.org/purple-tier/.

Incoming Storms & County Preparations
There are a lot of concerns about the incoming storm and preparations. We are expecting very cold and wet conditions, with the possibility of snow in our higher elevations. It is estimated that the storm will sit over the county from late Tuesday through Thursday, but no thunderstorms are expected and no evacuations are expected.

 

The Storm Impact Consideration Map will be used by Emergency Managers to consider evacuation needs if there is an anticipated saturation rainfall event with a period of high intensity/short duration rainfall that reaches approximately 10 inches of rain over 2-3 days. The Interactive Storm Impact Consideration Map can be found at www.readysbc.org.

 

Currently up to 8 inches is in the forecast so it is below the threshold, but close. All Flood Control basins in the Thomas and the Cave burn areas are fully cleaned out and this first significant forecasted storm event will be falling on very dry watersheds.

COVID-19 Vaccine Update
While Santa Barbara County Public Health continues to vaccinate frontline health care workers and those 75 years of age and older, there is a limited amount of vaccines available at this time. As more vaccines become available, we will once again offer appointments. If you haven’t already, please sign up to receive email notifications about vaccination availability for your population.  Click here to sign up to receive vaccine email info.