On Monday, March 16, San Mateo County Health Officer Dr. Scott Morrow joined six other Bay Area health officers in issuing a countywide shelter-in-place order. The legally binding order requires all residents to stay home and limit activity, travel and business functions to only the most essential needs. On Thursday, March 19, California Governor Gavin Newsom expanded this by issuing an immediate statewide stay-at-home order effective until further notice.

On Monday, March 23, San Mateo County Health Officer Dr. Scott Morrow issued a new statement and expressed disappointment that more people are not adhering to the order.

“We are in a grave crisis. I believe the virus is growing at an exponential rate in our county. Unless everyone does their part and follows the County’s Shelter-in-Place order and the Governor’s Safer at Home order, we will be facing an Italy-type catastrophe very soon. These orders are not recommendations, they are rules to be followed. My disappointment stems from the fact that many people just aren’t taking this seriously and going about their business as if nothing has changed. Our world has profoundly changed in an instant. It is now up to you all, the community, to decide what you want your future to be. If you decide you want to do your own thing and follow your own rules, you disrespect us all. You spit in our face, and you will contribute to the death toll that will follow,” said Dr. Morrow.

The City of Menlo Park has established a new online shelter-in-place violation reporting form for individuals or businesses to report non-essential activities in violation of the shelter-in-place order.

The City appreciates the efforts of the many businesses following the order and suspending operations to allow workers to shelter in place.

As of 9 a.m., March 24, San Mateo County has a total of 161 positive COVID-19 cases and 1 death. Visit the San Mateo County Health website for updates.

The more people and businesses adhere to the Health Officer Order to Shelter in Place, the more we can decrease the potential exposures throughout the community. We applaud the public’s commitment to following the order and doing what is best for their friends, family and community.

For more information and future coronavirus (COVID-19) updates visit menlopark.org/coronavirus and subscribe to “Menlo Park City News” at menlopark.org/notifyme. Menlo Park updates are also shared on city social media accounts, including Facebook, Twitter and Nextdoor.