*Update*

The City of Solvang just posted there will be an informational meeting from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Tuesday, May 26 at City Hall with Ed St. George, the proposed developer, with a limited number of people. 

Comments may be submitted to council@cityofsolvang.com. 

 

By Raiza Giorgi

publisher@santaynezvalleystar.com 

 

With Memorial Day weekend just around the corner, Santa Barbara County officials said their phased reopening is still going to be phased in and done cautiously. Expect restaurants that are open to have a longer wait as those businesses have to operate at 50 percent capacity.

“We are stronger together if we are apart,” said Second District Supervisor Gregg Hart. 

The “Protect. Respect. Wear Your Mask.” campaign launched in North County this week with several Santa Ynez Valley dignitaries such as Buellton Mayor Holly Sierra, St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church Rev. Randall Day, and Visit the Santa Ynez Valley CEO Shelby Sim, as more closed businesses are expected to reopen after Gov. Gavin Newsom said the county could move through Stage 2. To see the campaign, visit the website at protectrespect.org

This includes a new health order mandate requiring everyone in Santa Barbara County to wear a face covering when in public places effective May 26 through June 30.

People will be required to wear face coverings when inside of, in line to enter, or when conducting business through a car window or walk-up counter, according to the mandate. This includes restaurants, grocery stores, pharmacies, and government agencies, as well as hospitals, dentist offices and COVID-19 testing facilities.

Those who are 13 years and under are not required to, as well as those who cannot for medical reasons or cannot remove a face covering without assistance.

To read the full order visit HERE.

“We need the community to be engaged to come up with viable solutions,” Do-Reynoso said when asked why Santa Maria area still has a higher level of cases reported. 

Dr. Van Do-Reynoso reported 11 new community cases and 1 at the Lompoc Federal Penitentiary for a total of 1,551. 1 previous case was removed. Do-Reynoso also reported another COVID-19 related death of a man in his 70’s from Santa Maria that had underlying health conditions. 

Of the community cases there are only 98 active with 465 that have fully recovered; 27 are in the hospital with 10 of those in the ICU. There are still 10 cases in the Santa Ynez Valley.