COVID-19 Update: California Holiday Guidance, Election Info, New Hiking App & Upcoming Events

City of San Ramon sent this bulletin at 10/15/2020 03:13 PM PDT

Dear San Ramon Community,

This week, Contra Costa County remains in the red (substantial) tier in the State of California's Blueprint for a Safer Economy.

The State of California has released guidance on upcoming holidays and small gatherings, and Contra Costa County has updated its Mass Quarantine Order to align with the State of California.

Contra Costa County Health Services has shared information on voting safely during COVID-19, and continues to offer free flu shots at County-run COVID-19 test sites and pop-up flu clinics during the month of October.

Locally, a new trails app is available for the City of San Ramon, along with a Sweets & Treats resource fair for Seniors, and several Halloween activities are taking place throughout October.

Below are the latest updates for the San Ramon community.

California Guidance for Upcoming Holidays & Small Gatherings

The State of California has released guidance on upcoming holidays and small gatherings.

Recommended activities for Halloween include online pumpkin carving competitions or costume contests, drive-through displays, drive-in movies, home decorating, and candy scavenger hunts. Recommendations for Día de los Muertos include placing altars outside or in a front-facing window, creating altar cards that can be sent in the mail, and limiting cemetery visits to your immediate household.

According to the California Department of Public Health, small gatherings should include no more than 3 households, last no longer than 2 hours, take place outside, and observe the use of masks, physical distance and hand hygiene.

> Read the State of California Guidance for Halloween and Día de los Muertos

> Read the State of California Guidance for Small Gatherings

 

Updated Mass Quarantine Order

Contra Costa County has updated its Mass Quarantine Order to align with the State of California. Quarantine separates individuals who were exposed to COVID-19 from others until it is determined that they are not at risk for spreading the disease. The updated order provides clarification for who is considered a close contact based on guidance from the State of California Public Health Officer, and outlines who is exempt.

>  View the updated Mass Quarantine Order

> View Home Quarantine Instructions for Close Contacts

 

Voting Safely During COVID-19

In order to help people exercise their right to vote during the COVID-19 pandemic, the State of California and Contra Costa County have taken steps to make voting in the November 3 election as safe as possible.

Voting by mail is the safest voting option as it limits contact with others outside of a voter's household, health officials say. The County is making voting by mail easy this year by sending every voter a mail-in ballot and paying for first-class return postage.

Voters can return their completed ballots to any one of 37 outdoor ballot drop-boxes in the county. There are five secure ballot drop boxes in San Ramon. Ballots must be dropped off no later than 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3 or postmarked by November 3.

The deadline to register to vote is Monday, October 19, if registering online or by mail. After October 19, registration must be in person at one of Contra Costa County’s early voting sites, or at the Elections Division in Martinez.

Those who choose to vote in person will be required to practice social distancing and wear face coverings. If voters don't have PPE available, the County will provide it. All Elections staff and volunteers will be required to wear masks. Sanitizer will be available at the entry and exit of all in person polling places and the equipment will be sanitized regularly.

To minimize the time spent at the polling place, voters should review their ballots ahead of time and arrive ready to vote for their preferred candidates and ballot measures.

>  Read the Press Release from Contra Costa County Health Services

>  Learn more about Elections in Contra Costa County

>  View Election Information for San Ramon

 

Free Flu Vaccines Available at County COVID-19 Testing Sites and 1-Day Clinics

Contra Costa County Health Services continues to offer free flu shots to people who come in for COVID-19 testing at several testing sites in Contra Costa County, including the drive-through site in San Ramon.

Flu shots at COVID-19 testing sites are being offered in addition to the series of free one-day flu vaccination clinics held by the County in October.

> Read the Press Release from Contra Costa Health Services

> View a list of COVID-19 Testing Sites Offering Free Flu Vaccines

> Learn more about Flu Vaccines and View Locations of One-Day Vaccination Clinics

 

New San Ramon Trails App, Powered by Outerspatial

The City of San Ramon is pleased to announce the transition to the new San Ramon Trails App, powered by OuterSpatial. This free, easy-to-use mobile hiking app provides the core features of the old Easy2Hike app, along with additional enhancements such as social engagement tools similar to Instagram and Facebook, enhanced trail linking to webpages and social media pages, and featured “communities” which share up-to-date news about local and state hiking communities.

The City is very excited to be able to provide a new, enhanced app to expand our community’s enjoyment of local trails, and look forward to seeing everyone out in the Open Space and Trails utilizing it! If you have any questions, please email srtrails@sanramon.ca.gov.

> Download the Outerspatial App in the Apple App Store

> Download the Outerspatial App in the Google Play Store

 

Senior Sweets & Treats Resource Fair: Friday, October 30

Mark your calendars for San Ramon’s first drive-thru Resource Fair. The Senior Sweets & Treats Resource Fair is coming up on Friday, October 30, from 1–4 p.m. at the Alcosta Senior and Community Center. From a safe distance, staff will deliver a treat bag full of resources and information and a sweet treat just for Seniors. Face masks and face shields will also be given out, while supplies last.

Also, Contra Costa County will offer a free drive-through flu shot clinic on site, no appointment needed. Don’t forget to wear your mask, as we will be wearing our masks too!

 

San Ramon Halloween Activities

The haunt is ON! Throughout the month of October, we’re creepin’ it real with spooktacular contests: send us photos of your Halloween and harvest houses that make us scream “Oh my gourd-ness!,” show us your faBOOlous costumes, and keep your eyes peeled for scarecrows.

> View Halloween Activities for San Ramon 

 

Community Resources for San Ramon

The following information and resources are available at the City of San Ramon’s website, and are updated regularly:

 

Ways to Stay Informed

Website: www.sanramon.ca.gov/covid-19

Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, NextDoor

General Questions: (925) 973-2500

General COVID-19 Help Line for San Ramon: (925) 570-1186

Senior Hotline (English): (925) 973-3250

Senior Voicemail Line (Mandarin): (925) 973-3277

Contra Costa County Help Line: 2-1-1

Email: info@sanramon.ca.gov


Once again, I want to share my appreciation for this community's support and care for one another—we truly are strongest together!

Joe Gorton
San Ramon City Manager