Is the Class of 2020 prepared for its drive-in graduation ceremony?
To facilitate graduations, San Mateo County Health Officer Dr. Scott Morrow has issued a new order allowing “highly regulated” gatherings of vehicles.
Effective at 11:59 p.m. tonight, the new order impacts gatherings of ten or more vehicles. It requires occupants of each vehicle to be members of the same household, prohibits them from exiting the vehicle at the gathering except to use a restroom or to collect an item such as a diploma, and requires them to wear face coverings when windows are open. The order doesn’t permit bicycles, motorcycles, door-less vehicles or convertibles with the the top open.
Gatherings are limited to no more than 200 invited vehicles, and the event can last no more than three hours, the health order states. Hosts must implement proper social distancing protocols and also security in form of local law enforcement, a private company, or staff that provide campus security. The security must monitor social distancing, traffic, safety and other order requirements. Hosts are required to prepare a Gathering Plan as detailed in an appendix to the order here.
The text of the order is here.
As of May 10, there were 1,464 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the county and 56 deaths. While the rate of increase the cumulative number of confirmed cases continues to increase, the rate of increase has slowed in recent days, the county says.
“Evidence suggests that the restrictions on mobility and the social distancing requirements of the March 16 and prior Shelter in Place orders are slowing the rate of increase in community transmission and confirmed cases,” the County said.
