Redwood City, Calif. – The County of San Mateo continues to work to protect public health and safety in response to the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19.
The County of San Mateo’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) remains open to coordinate countywide response and communications in response to the situation. The EOC’s Joint Information Center will provide daily status reports Monday through Friday until further notice. Today’s report:
Health Officer Issues Orders for Those with and Exposed to COVID-19
Today, the San Mateo County Health Officer Dr. Scott Morrow issued new orders requiring persons who have tested positive for COVID-19 to isolate themselves and for the close contacts of persons who have tested positive to remain in quarantine for 14 days.
According to the orders, “isolation” is the separation of persons who have been infected with COVID-19 from other persons.
“Quarantine” separates and restricts the movement of persons who, while not yet infected with COVID-19, have been exposed to COVID-19 and may become infectious. The quarantine order applies to the close contacts of persons who have tested positive and are in isolation.
“This mass order provides the tools—and the necessary information—for keeping those sick with COVID-19 separated from others and for preventing those exposed to the illness from spreading it,” said Dr. Morrow. “People with no or mild symptoms may have COVID-19 and not know it.”
The orders and order instructions can be viewed at https://www.smcgov.org/press-release/county-san-mateo-issues-mass-isolation-quarantine-orders-people-covid-19-and-their
April 10 Property Tax Deadline Extended to May 4, 2020
The April 10 property tax deadline has been extended to May 4, 2020 as all County buildings are closed to the public through May 3, 2020, per the orders of the Public Health Officer. Read the Tax Collector’s full message at https://bit.ly/3bO648a
Payment of property taxes can be made using alternative methods, including mail and the drop box located on the exterior of 555 County Center, Redwood City. In addition, online payments can be made at https://sanmateo-ca.county-taxes.com
It is not recommended to wait until May 4 to pay in person once the office reopens as long lines and proximity to others is likely.
Board of Supervisors Considers Moratorium on Commercial Evictions at April 7 Meeting
The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors will consider an ordinance banning eviction of small business commercial tenants in the unincorporated area of San Mateo County directly impacted by COVID-19 for non-payment of rent. If approved by the Board, the ordinance will take effect immediately.
To qualify, businesses under $2.5 million annual gross receipts must have experienced a reduction in operating hours, available workforce or consumer demand; reduced business income due to illness; increased operational or other overhead expenses; or temporary closure of the business.
Landlords will be required to inform commercial tenants of their rights under the ordinance. The required forms will soon be posted online, along with a Frequently Asked Questions document.
On March 24, 2020, the Board of Supervisors approved a temporary countywide moratorium on residential evictions for tenants who are impacted by the novel coronavirus pandemic. See regulations at: https://housing.smcgov.org/covid-19-smc-eviction-regulations
San Mateo County COVID-19 Cases
San Mateo County Health has updated the number of positive cases to 579 as of April 5, 2020.
County Health provides detailed information on cases by age group and date and deaths by age group. Learn more at https://www.smchealth.org/coronavirus
Call Center
Residents with non-medical, non-emergency questions about the coronavirus can call 211 at any time, day or night. Callers from landlines and cellular telephones located within San Mateo County are connected with a trained service professional from 211, a confidential service available in 180 languages.