Santa Clara County health officials began 2021 by adding new restrictions on business – they must now close down employee rest rooms.
Although the authorities told San José Spotlight that they issued earlier “guidelines” on rest rooms, an earlier version of the county directive did not include any language about closing internal rest rooms for employees.
There are new updates to the capacity limitations policy. To reduce the spread of COVID-19, we require companies to close kitchens in workplaces and rest rooms for eating, drinking and any gathering.
Read about the changes: https://t.co/Je6jTMWOdx pic.twitter.com/qstNzt6vL6
– Healthy SCC (@HealthySCC) January 1, 2021
According to the changes, made on December 31, companies in Silicon Valley must “prohibit personnel from using any indoor rest rooms or rest areas to eat or drink” – even if they are currently alone.
Employees can access cafeterias and rest rooms only to use appliances such as coffee makers, refrigerators or microwaves. They can store or heat food, but they cannot eat it inside the break room. County officials recommend having lunch in the car, the safest option.
Employees can use rest areas for legally protected purposes, such as lactation.
“Eating indoors in a rest room is one of the most risky activities during this pandemic because rest rooms are generally small with little ventilation and face covers must be removed to eat,” wrote the county in a statement. frequently asked questions updated. “Employee break rooms have proven to be one of the most common causes of COVID-19 transmission in the workplace.”
Health establishments and hospitals are exempt from this rule. Any companies that are unable to close their internal rest rooms must appeal to the county for an exception and present a security plan, such as scheduling rest periods for employees or creating an external rest area. They should also increase ventilation in the room and regularly disinfect high-contact surfaces.
The county previously advised employees to wear masks in rest rooms, keep two meters away, stay seated, minimize conversations and eat outdoors “whenever possible”.
The new rules come at a time when Santa Clara County is facing an alarming increase in COVID-19 cases, overloading hospitals in the area.
As of December 31, the county had 69,870 cumulative COVID-19 cases and 709 deaths. These figures reflect an increase of 2,507 new cases and 36 new deaths in the past few days. The county reported that 681 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 and officials said only 28 ICU beds were left.
Access to COVID-19 vaccines is limited and slow.
The county has received more than 94,805 COVID-19 vaccines so far, but they are being tiered with priority for healthcare professionals. Authorities reported administering 500 shots this week at a new clinic for fire brigade officials, paramedics, critical care transport nurses and paramedics in air ambulances.
In the meantime, health officials are asking people to continue taking the test – especially if they have been exposed during the holidays.
For people with no symptoms of COVID-19, the county is offering internal and transit locations. Those with symptoms should use drive-through sites to avoid infecting others.
“There is a light at the end of the tunnel through the vaccinations that started,” said Santa Clara County COVID-19 testing officer Marty Fenstersheib. “But that in no way means that we can let our guard down. The rate of positivity is ten times higher than just two months ago – COVID-19 is more prevalent in the community than ever. Anyone who believes that they may have been exposed should quarantine and obtain tested. “
For a complete list of free trial locations, including new ones to open next week in Los Altos Hills, Mountain View, Cupertino, Campbell and Palo Alto, click here.