Santa Barbara County Issues Health Officer Order to Allow Reopening of Expanded Personal Care Services

Santa Barbara County Public Health Officer Henning Ansorg, M.D. has issued a Health Officer Order permitting the reopening of personal care businesses that were previously closed. This Order is effective starting at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, June 26, 2020 and continuing until 5:00 p.m. on July 26, 2020 or until it is extended, rescinded, superseded, or amended in writing.   

Businesses that may reopen on Friday, June 26 with modifications, social distancing protocols, and completion of the attestation process include, but are not limited to:

• Estheticians
• Skin Care and Cosmetology services
• Electrology (permanent hair removal)
• Nail Salons
• Body Art Professionals
• Tattoo Parlors
• Piercing Shops
• Massage Therapy (including non-healthcare settings)
• Businesses offering facials, electrolysis, and waxing

These businesses may be open only while adhering to social distancing protocols provided by the Governor and the Health Officer and after completing the County’s attestation process. Business owners can find resources, information, and the process to complete the attestation at https://recoverysbc.org/.

The full Health Officer Order can be found here. For more information about COVID-19 and the local response, visit https://publichealthsbc.org/. Community members may also call the Santa Barbara County Call Center at (833) 688-5551.

Santa Barbara County Reports One Additional Death of Persons with COVID-19

42 Additional Confirmed Cases Reported

Santa Barbara County Public Health Department (PHD) is reporting the twenty-eighth death of a resident who tested positive for COVID-19. The individual resided in the City of Santa Barbara and was over 70 years of age. As of today, there are 2,631confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Santa Barbara County, 992 cases are at the Federal Prison in Lompoc, 1,639 are community cases, and 2,106 have fully recovered. One previous case was determined not to be a case and removed.

“We offer our sincere condolences to every person who has experienced the pain associated with losing someone to COVID-19. Our day-to-day actions have a great impact on our progress and our journey to recovery, so let’s continue to make physical distancing and wearing face coverings part of our everyday lives to prevent increases in cases, hospitalizations, and deaths," said Van Do-Reynoso, Santa Barbara County Public Health Director.

Although most cases of COVID-19 exhibit mild or moderate symptoms, PHD recommends additional measures to prevent exposure among vulnerable people, including the elderly and those with underlying health conditions (such as diabetes, cancer, immunodeficiency, asthma, COPD and others). PHD recommends that residents:

• Stay home when possible. The State’s Stay at Home Order remains in effect.
• Remain six feet away from others and wear a facial covering when engaging in tasks away from home.
• Wash your hands with soap and water regularly.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick. Do not go to work or other places.

Additionally, all local employers and business owners are urged to adhere closely to sector health and safety guidelines. Ensuring a safe environment for both employees and customers is critical to slowing the spread of COVID-19 and assuring that businesses remain safely open during this time. 

For general questions about COVID-19 and precautions currently recommended by Santa Barbara County Public Health, residents may call the Santa Barbara County Call Center at (833)-688-5551.  The Call Center is open weekdays (except for holidays) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Stay Connected:

County Public Health: www.PublicHealthSBC.org, Twitter and Facebook
County of Santa Barbara: www.CountyofSB.org, Twitter, Facebook
County Call Center: (833) 688-5551
Recorded Information Line: (805) 681-4373
Community Wellness Team Information and Referral Line: (805) 364-2750
Behavioral Wellness Crisis Line: (888) 868-1649