As we reported yesterday, cities and counties across California are issuing orders to slow the spread of COVID-19. Since our last post, Orange County and the City of Palm Springs have joined the list.

Orange County’s Public Health Order, which took effect March 17, 2020, prohibits social gatherings and requires bars and other establishments that serve alcohol but not food to close.  It further provides that businesses must implement social distancing and enhanced sanitation standards, and they should “make every effort to use telecommuting for … [their] workforce[s].”  Employers must suspend any policies or procedures requiring healthcare provider verification for sick or other leave approval.  After considerable confusion about the scope and extent of the Order’s restrictions, Orange County clarified that its Order is not a shelter-in-place order.

Taking a page form Northern California, the City of Palm Springs did issue a shelter-in-place order, which you can read here.

California employers who have not already switched to telecommuting and remote work should closely monitor developments as additional cities and counties implement new and updated restrictions.  We’ll keep you posted.