UPDATED: Wednesday, July 15 at 5:45 PM
The City of Arcata is monitoring COVID-19 and is working with, and following all recommended guidelines from, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the California Department of Public Health and the Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services.
The spread of COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving situation, and the City is dedicated to keeping the community safe and informed during this unprecedented time.
Eight new cases of COVID-19 were reported today, Wednesday, July 14, bringing the total number of county residents who have tested positive for the virus to 175. Community transmission, meaning the source of the virus is unknown, has been confirmed among 23 local cases, three active cases are currently under investigation, and four Humboldt County residents have died from the virus. For more information, please click here and here.
The City of Arcata is actively working with Humboldt County health agencies to protect our community, prepare for more local cases and assist in maintaining the health and safety of our region. All residents are encouraged to stay at home to slow the spread of the virus.
Updated information will be provided on this webpage as it becomes available.
Stay at Home Orders
UPDATED: Tuesday, May 19 at 5:30 PM
The Governor has ordered all California residents to shelter in place until further notice. This order is to ensure the maximum number of people self-isolate to the greatest extent possible, while allowing essential services to continue, in order to slow the spread of COVID-19.
California residents may leave their homes to seek or provide essential services such as obtaining medical care or supplies, grocery shopping, refilling prescriptions and caring for an ill family member. Residents may also leave their home to seek or provide nonessential services outlined by the State and County. Those who leave their homes are expected to wear a mask or face covering and maintain social distancing guidelines and keep a distance of 6 feet away from those not in their household.
Click here to see the order in its entirety. For answers to frequently asked questions about essential services pertaining to this order, please click here.
Hours before the State issued order, the Humboldt County Department of Public Health put an order in place that directs all individuals living in Humboldt County to shelter in place beginning midnight, Friday, March 20. Given that the San Francisco Bay Area is experiencing outbreaks of COVID-19 with extensive community spread, Humboldt County recognizes the imminent threat presented to the public’s health. To read the original County order in full, please click here.
On Monday, March 30, Humboldt County issued an updated Health Order further enhancing the Shelter in Place requirements for County residents.The updated order can be found here.
On Friday, May 8, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services updated the allowable services list to reflect changes made to the California Stay-at-Home Order and clarify which local businesses can reopen in this stage of the state’s reopening plan. Please click here for more information, and click here to review the updated list.
On Tuesday, May 19, the Humboldt County Health Officer issued an Order to modify the Shelter-in-Place Order and allow additional businesses to reopen once their safety plan is approved. Please click here to learn more.
Local News Updates
UPDATED: Wednesday, July 15 at 5:45 PM
- Humboldt County Health Officer Dr. Teresa Frankovich has noted the inherent risk associated with travel during a pandemic and the potential for increased spread locally. Please click here to learn more.
- California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a statewide order to close bars and transition six industry sectors to outdoor-only operations to limit spread of COVID-19. Local implementation has begun and will take full effect Friday, July 17. For more information, click here.
- The OptumServe public testing site located at Redwood Acres continues to experience an increase in demand for appointments and has been at or near maximum capacity for the last three weeks. Click here to learn more.
- More than 2,100 businesses have been certified to reopen by the Humboldt County Emergency Operations Center, with plan review and approval often completed in a single day. The County encourages residents to support local businesses that have committed to protect the health and safety of both employees and customers. When shopping at local businesses, look for an official reopening certificate, which should be prominently displayed on each certified storefront. A list of certified Humboldt County businesses sorted by sector can be found here.
- Gatherings of any size are still prohibited by the state of California. For more information, please click here.
- The Humboldt County Joint Information Center has replaced text-only COVID-19 testing results with graphics from the COVID-19 data dashboard. According to the County, this dashboard provides more comprehensive data than was previously available in a format that is easier to access and understand. Please click here to view the dashboard.
- Humboldt County health officials announced that businesses in industry sectors with state-provided guidance can begin to reopen after their reopening plan has been certified by the Humboldt County Emergency Operations Center. Click here for more information.
- There is a new face covering mandate for the State of California. Please click here to learn more.
- Humboldt County Health Officer Dr. Teresa Frankovich has issued updated travel guidance for County residents who are traveling outside of Humboldt County. Please click here to learn more.
- With more businesses beginning to reopen to the public, Humboldt County residents are encouraged to continue protecting our community by helping limit the spread of COVID-19. Please click here to learn more.
- The Humboldt County Health Officer issued an Order to modify the Shelter-in-Place Order and allow additional businesses to reopen once their safety plan is approved. Please click here to learn more.
- Humboldt County was approved by the state to reopen certain business sectors as fast as conditions allow after meeting criteria outlined in California’s roadmap to reopening. Click here to learn more.
- The Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services has launched an online portal for businesses to submit a Reopening Plan in preparation for a gradual lifting of California’s Stay-at-Home Order. Please click here for more information.
- To help avoid the spread of COVID-19 at construction job sites, the City of Arcata requires that all active construction job sites within the City follow new safety protocols until further notice. Please click here to learn more.
- Humboldt County residents can now schedule a free COVID-19 test at the new OptumServe Testing site at Redwood Acres Fairgrounds in Eureka. Please click here for more information.
- The Order of the Health Officer requiring county residents to wear facial coverings was updated Tuesday, April 28, to clarify guidance specifically on masking children and on masks with valves. The rest of the guidance remains the same. Click here for more information and to review the updated order.
- Humboldt County Public Health continues to expand their contact tracing capabilities. Contact tracing is a method of determining how many people may have been exposed to a person confirmed to have COVID-19. The goal is to prevent spread of the virus by identifying those with possible exposures and isolating those who are ill while quarantining those who are healthy but may develop symptoms within the next 14 days. This helps to avoid transmission of the infection to additional individuals in the community. More information can be found here.
- The Environmental Services Department has temporarily designated some narrow stretches of trail at the Arcata Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary as one-way routes. Maps showing the designated one-way trail sections will be posted at the marsh’s parking lot kiosks, trailhead kiosks and at the Interpretive Center’s door. A printable version of the map is also available here.
- The Humboldt County COVID-19 Compliance Tip Line is now active. If you are concerned that a person or business is not complying with the Shelter in Place Order, you are welcome to call (707) 441-3022.
- Public Health strongly recommends that individuals cancel non-essential travel. Travel not only increases your own risk of acquiring a COVID-19 infection, it increases the risk within our community.
- High-risk travel is no longer limited to international destinations. Any travel to areas with community level transmission presents opportunities for exposure to COVID-19. All travelers to these areas, whether international or domestic, should be self-quarantining, which means staying at home except for accessing needed health care, for at least 14 days upon return.
- The Arcata Community Forest and the Arcata Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary are experiencing high volumes of visitors since the stay at home orders have been in place. The City would like community members to continue to be able to enjoy pubic trails during this time, and Community Forest and Marsh visitors are highly encouraged to walk or ride bicycles to avoid parking lot gathering much as possible.
- Arcata City playgrounds, the Arcata Skate Park and City basketball, tennis and all other playing courts are closed until further notice.
- The City of Arcata has taken steps to formally recognize the existence of a local emergency. This Proclamation does not signify an increased risk to Arcata residents, but strongly acknowledges the existing risk COVID-19 poses to the community. The Proclamation allows the City additional flexibility to acquire resources, manage essential City staff, provide or receive mutual aid from other jurisdictions and assists in securing State and Federal Disaster funds. Click here to read the Proclamation in full.
- Humboldt County Schools are closed in response to COVID-19. A list of school closures provided by the Humboldt County Office of Education can be found here.
- Humboldt State University has taken many precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. For the most recent updates from Humboldt State University, please click here.
Please click here for the latest local updates from the Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services or to sign up to receive Humboldt County Health Alerts. Information will be updated Monday through Saturday and posted here.
Community members may also contact the County directly by emailing covidinfo@co.humboldt.ca.us or calling (707) 441-5000.
For medical advice or questions regarding COVID-19 testing, contact Humboldt County Public Health by emailing hhsphb@co.humboldt.ca.us or calling (707) 445-6200.
Additional Community Resources
UPDATED: Friday, May 8 at 5:25 PM
Arcata City Hall COVID-19 Procedures & Contact information can be found here.
Meal Resources for Children
- Humboldt County Office of Education School Meal pick up times and locations for all children under 18, can be found here.
Stay at Home Activities for Children
Resources for Seniors & Individuals with Underlying Health Conditions
- For more information on designated shopping hours for Seniors and individuals with underlying health conditions at local grocery stores and pharmacies, please click here. In addition to what is mentioned in the document, Wildberries Marketplace is providing a shopping hour for seniors daily from 6 AM to 7 AM.
- The Humboldt Senior Resource Center has modified in-house dining service until further notice, including the senior lunch program at the Arcata Community Center. As of now, HSRC’s three Senior Dining Centers will continue offering their Home Delivered Meals and offer a take-out meal service once a week. 5 frozen meals will be provided once a week on Wednesdays at the Arcata Community Center. Reservations for take-out meal service is required and may be done so by calling 707-825-2027.
- Cooperation Humboldt has been coordinating a program to connect seniors with volunteers to run errands for them, including picking up groceries or medicine. Click here for more information on how to access this service or become a volunteer.
Arcata Business Directories
- The Arcata Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), with the support of the Arcata Police Department, has a complied a list of essential businesses and services available in Arcata. Click here to access this list.
- Please click here for more information about Arcata businesses that are open online, offering virtual classes, selling gift certificates and offering food delivery or take-out services to locals while we shelter in place.
Food Storage
- To learn more about food storage to prevent food waste during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, please click here.
Arcata COVID-19 Eviction Moratoriums
The City of Arcata and the State of California have temporary measures in place to support tenants who have lost income due to COVID-19. Both programs are available to renters currently residing in Arcata. You will find an overview of both programs here. For more information, email citymgr@cityofarcata.org or call (707) 822-5953.
County Property Taxes
The second installment of 2019-2020 Humboldt County property taxes were due on Friday, April 10. Those who could not make the deadline due to economic hardship as a result of COVID-19 may send payment between Saturday, April 11 and Wednesday, June 10, 2020, without late penalties by filling out the “Affidavit for Penalty Exemption Due to COVID-19” form. More information from the County can be found here, and the form can be found here. Exemptions will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Small Businesses
- The Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services is asking businesses and organizations to complete the COVID-19 Economic Impact Survey. Their team is collecting data now and on an ongoing basis because early reporting will help them prepare a comprehensive estimate of business losses and damages in order to start applying for emergency response funds as soon as possible. If you are a Humboldt County business owner or manager, please click here to take the survey.
- To find the latest COVID-19 small business resources, provided by the North Coast Small Business Development Center, click here.
- Small business owners are encouraged to sign up for the Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness Group, especially if you have concerns about a serious disruption to your business. Please click here to sign up.
- State resources provided by the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development can be found here.
- Click here to for COVID-19 facts on laws enforced by the California Labor Commissioner’s Office.
- Resources regarding sick leave, family leave, disability and unemployment insurance provided by California’s Employment Development Department can be found here.
COVID-19 Business Resilience Emergency Loan Program
In response to business impacts related to COVID-19, the City of Arcata is committed to providing technical and financial support to Arcata’s businesses. Information about the City’s new COVID-19 Business Resiliency Emergency Loan Program as well as the City’s existing loan programs can be found here. For more information, please email comdev@cityofarcata.org or call (707) 825-5955.
City of Arcata COVID-19 GIS Dashboard.
This City of Arcata GIS team put together a dashboard of real-time maps and data that shows world’s current COVID-19 status (provided by Johns Hopkins University), in addition to weather, traffic, natural disasters and PG&E power outages.
Browse and explore the Arcata Community Real-Time Dashboard to see how GIS data is helping us gain a better understanding of our world and make more informed decisions.
Please note this application currently works on desktop computers using supported browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Microsoft Edge.
Please remember these basic steps to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses like COVID-19:
- Abide by shelter in place orders and follow all recommended guidelines on social distancing. Avoid situations where you are in close contact with people who could be ill and not yet experiencing symptoms.This is where transmission of the virus is most likely.
- Wear a mask or face covering when conducting essential activities.
- Seniors age 65 and older should stay home.
- Stay home if you are feeling like you have allergies, if you are sick or if you have a fever.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
- Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow, and throw used tissues in the trash and wash your hands immediately.
- Avoid close contact (within 6 feet) with people who do not live in your household.
- Do not visit senior centers or health care facilities.
- Call a medical provider and self-isolate at home if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Do not go directly to a health care provider, call first to arrange for testing.
- If you are severely ill and in need of immediate medical attention call 911 and inform them that you may have COVID-19.
For more detailed information on COVID-19, please click here.