Important Message to Our Valued Visitors and Residents

April 15, 2020

Supporting Lake County People and Businesses, As We Shelter-In-Place

Lake County, CA (April 15, 2020) – The Health and well-being of our community and visitors is our highest priority. While the Lake County community, like so many around the globe, is reeling from business impacts due to COVID-19, we extend our thoughts and deep gratitude to our beloved visitors, who have generously supported our local economy through tourism and adjacent industries.

With immense appreciation for everyone’s wish to be in the fresh air, enjoying our beautiful county and recreating on Clear Lake, now is NOT the time to visit Lake County. Please remain at your primary residence, and don’t travel to Lake County for non-essential activities, even if you have a vacation home here.

All lodging in Lake County, including short-term and nightly rentals, is closed until May 3, 2020, under the current Public Health Orders. If you are renting out your home through Airbnb, VRBO, or any other rental agency, please immediately remove your listing to help protect our community.

Lake County’s healthcare system is very good but has limited capacity to respond to a large scale outbreak. The consequences of COVID-19 for our small, rural county, would be devastating if we experienced a large surge in cases requiring medical care.

Local residents and businesses, many of whom are still recovering from severe hardship and displacement brought by fires, floods, and Public Safety Power Shutoff Events, are doing their part to reduce our risks. Retail shops, recreation services including the lake, parks and hiking trails, movie theaters, wineries, casinos, bars, restaurants and night clubs for indoor or outdoor service are all closed.

We ask that our valued visitors and those with vacation homes in the area do your part, as well, to protect the communities so many of us have come to know, love, and even call home or home away from home.

Right now, please support Lake County businesses from afar, while Lake County continues to Shelter in Place.

Here are some things you can do, even from a distance, to help:

Rebook lodging for a later date.
Reach out to businesses you enjoyed in the past – send an email, post a photo, tag words of encouragement, and follow them on social media to stay up to date on their latest services and offerings.
Consider making donations to local businesses and nonprofits.
Buy gift cards from local business to be used at a later date.
Ask for store credit, versus refunds.
Pay for an online yoga or fitness class.
Order books, sports gear, and more online from our local shops – many shops can ship or deliver items to your house.
Extend memberships and renew pledges with any local organizations you regularly support.

For those living in Lake County:

Order delivery and curbside pickup from restaurants, and shop at Lake County’ grocery stores; they are adapting their practices and supporting social distancing, we can help them out, too.
Ordering takeout? Leave an extra tip. Your generosity will help support restaurant staff that are now under or unemployed.

Cash flow is critical for Lake County businesses right now. There’s no amount too small, and every dollar spent is a vote for the small businesses that make Lake County unique.
Lake County will be ready to welcome you when the world is ready to travel again. Our communities, mountains, lakes, fishing, boating, trails, wineries, casinos, restaurants, and local businesses will be here to welcome you back when the Shelter-in-Place and Stay at Home Orders are lifted.

But again, now is NOT the time to visit.

Lake County Health Services’ website posts frequent and detailed updates on COVID-19 response and we are in awe of the great sacrifices so many have made to protect their neighbors and those most vulnerable in our communities. Please continue to take all recommended precautions, as we:

STAY SAFE, STAY STRONG, and STAY HOME

Lake County Public Health Website COVID-19: http://health.co.lake.ca.us/Coronavirus.htm