COVID-19 Community Response

Community Resources

Important Information and Resources

 

Santa Cruz Community –
We understand the concern surrounding COVID-19 (Coronavirus) across our communities, and we are closely monitoring the ongoing pandemic. Many of you are concerned not only about the health of yourself and your families but the financial hardships you are facing as a result of prolonged work and event closures. United Way of Santa Cruz County is here to help you through the coronavirus crisis. 

 

We continue to update this page regularly to provide you with the most up-to-date information regarding the coronavirus, along with resources you need to help guide you through this crisis. 

 

Coronavirus COVID-19 Updates

April 30, 2020: Santa Cruz County Public Health Department issued a Shelter In Place Order effective at 11:59 p.m. on 5/1/2020. Here are highlights:

  • All individuals currently living within Santa Cruz County (the "County") are ordered to shelter at their place of residence. Individuals may leave their residence only to perform any Essential Activities, including obtaining food, goods or healthcare, engage in outdoor activity (with social distancing), care for a person or pet in another home, and perform work at Essential Businesses.

  • "Social Distancing Requirements" now includes all ofthe following:

    • Wearing a Face Covering in compliance with the April 23, 2020 Order ofthe Health Officer Generally Requiring Face Coverings;

    • Maintaining at least six-foot social distancing from individuals who are not part of the same household or living unit (except to the limited extent necessary to provide care, including childcare, adult or senior care, care to individuals with special needs, and patient care);

    • Frequently washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or using hand sanitizer that is recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as effective in combatting COVID-19;

    • Covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or fabric or, if not possible, into the sleeve or elbow (but not into hands); and

    • Avoiding all social interaction outside the household when sick with a fever or cough.

  • All businesses with a facility in the County, except Essential Businesses, are required to cease all activities located within the County except Minimum Basic Operations. For clarity, businesses may also continue operations consisting exclusively of employees or contractors performing activities at their own residence (i.e. working from home). All Essential Businesses are strongly encouraged to remain open. To the greatest extent feasible, Essential Businesses shall comply with Social Distancing Requirements including, but not limited to, when any customers are standing in line. 
  • Essential businesses include:
    • businesses that provide food, shelter, and social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals,
    • businesses that ship or deliver food directly to residences, and
    • home-based care, residential facilities, shelters, childcare (subject to restrictions). 
  • All public and private gatherings of any number of people occurring outside a single household or living unit are prohibited, except for the limited purposes expressly permitted in this Order. Nothing in this Order prohibits members of a single household or living unit from engaging in Essential Travel or Essential Activities together.
  • Except for the purpose of Essential Travel, all travel is prohibited, including but not limited to, travel on foot, bicycle, scooter, motorcycle, automobile, or public transit.
    • People may use public transit only for purposes of performing Essential Activities or to travel to and from work to operate Essential Businesses, maintain Essential Governmental Functions, or to perform Minimum Basic Operations at non-essential businesses.
    • Transit agencies and people riding on public transit should comply with Social Distancing Requirements to the greatest extent feasible.
    • This Order allows travel into or out of the County to perform Essential Activities, operate Essential Businesses, maintain Essential Governmental Functions, or perform Minimum Basic Operations at nonessential businesses.

  • All beaches in the County will be closed from 11 :00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., daily. However, during the times that beaches are closed, the ocean will remain open for water sports (e.g., surfing, boogie-boarding, swimming, paddle-boarding, kayaking, boating, etc.), and individuals may cross beaches in order to access and leave the ocean. During the times that beaches are open, they are to be used only for running, walking, cycling, water sports, or other form of physical activity. Sitting, lying, standing, sunbathing, sight- seeing, picnicking, and all other non-exercise, passive, or sedentary activities at beaches are prohibited.

  • Essential Activities include:
    • To engage in activities or perform tasks important to their health and safety including obtaining medical supplies or medication, or visiting a health care professional.
    •  To obtain necessary services or supplies for themselves and their family or household members, or to deliver those services or supplies to others.
    • To engage in an outdoor recreation activity, including, by way of example and without limitation, golfing , walking, hiking, bicycling, and running, in compliance with Social Distancing.

 

Get The FAQs

 

View the Current Status of COVID-19 in Santa Cruz County 

 

 

 

 

 

United We Respond 

We are United in community and committed to connecting you with essential services. 

COVID-19: How We Can Help

 

 

 

 

 

Santa Cruz County Resource Center

Resources for Essential Workers, Small Businesses & Renters:

 

Foodbank & Food Pantry Information:

 

Health & Wellness

 

 

Community Support Groups

 

Resources for Vulnerable Populations: 

 

Services for Youth 

More Information & Resources: 

 

Donate To:

 

 

Send us a link to your resources and we will share them here! Email your link to agonzalez@unitedwaysc.org