City of West Sacramento

Press Release
Press Release (Español)

(Woodland, CA) – With the approaching winter season, Yolo County has released holiday guidance and an infographic on how residents can more safely interact with their families, friends and communities while reducing the spread of COVID-19. Social gatherings are still a leading cause of COVID-19 cases in Yolo County and everyone has a role to play in keeping businesses open and communities healthy. 

Yolo County is aware that residents and families may choose to gather despite local and State health orders mandating physical distance. The County hopes that if residents gather, that they do so as safely as possible without jeopardizing the health and well being of loved ones, friends, and communities by heeding the considerations outlined in the local holiday guidance. 

“While in-person gatherings are discouraged, we recognize that some people will still choose to gather. This guidance empowers residents to make decisions that reduce their risk if and when they do gather,” says Dr. Aimee Sisson, Yolo County Public Health Officer. “The harm reduction approach of meeting people where they are at is a widely accepted public health practice.” 

There is always a level of risk for contracting COVID-19 during in-person gatherings with others outside of your household. Some gatherings pose a higher level of risk than others, due to proximity, number of attendees or length of time, and some people are already at a higher level of risk due to their health or age. More vulnerable populations, such as residents who are older or immunocompromised, should not gather with others outside their household and should stay home as much as possible.

All private gatherings must follow these restrictions in Yolo County: 

1. No more than 16 people (including guests and hosts) can gather
2. From no more 3 households
3. For up to 2 hours
4. Outdoors only

The holiday guidance provides recommendations on the size, frequency, time length and location of gatherings as well as reminders about physical distancing, face coverings and healthy hygiene habits. The guidance also provides insight into traveling with caution, being food-smart and safely modifying traditions for the COVID-19 pandemic. The County has also created an infographic in English, Spanish and Russian to help residents recognize what is considered lower or higher risk in terms of contracting the virus. 

Residents can call Yolo 2-1-1 for resource information. For additional updates follow Yolo County on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/YoloCounty/ or Twitter at: http://twitter.com/YoloCountyCA.