December 18, 2020 With the recent Stay Home Order that was adopted by Sonoma County, we are spending more time in our homes this holiday season. The order that went into effect on Saturday December 12 is an effort to proactively alleviate the strain on our local hospitals. A recent alarming increase in Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations prompted the county to join the other Bay Area counties in adopting the California Department of Public Health’s Stay-Home Order. The local order adopts the restrictions contained within the state’s recently announced Regional Stay-at-Home order. Under the order, residents are directed to stay at home except for work, shopping or other essential activities, such as medical appointments. All sectors other than retail and essential operations must be closed. Outdoor recreation will be allowed. The new restrictions will remain in place until 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, January 9, 2021.