COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) News Feed

When to Mask? New Regulations in Effect February 16th

Posted on February 16, 2022

California’s universal indoor masking mandate lifts Wednesday, February 16th, but masks will still be required in certain settings, regardless of vaccination status. What does this mean for Marin residents? The need for masks: If you are unvaccinated, you must still wear a mask indoors until completion of a COVID-19 vaccination series. If you are fully vaccinated (with or without a booster), masks are...

Town Council Passes COVID-19 Supplemental Sick Leave Ordinance for Local Small Businesses

Posted on September 9, 2021

Ordinance No. 857 An Urgency Ordinance to Establish Paid Sick Leave Requirements for all Employees in the Town with 25 or Fewer Employees for Covid-19 Related Reasons.

Marin County Health Officer Issues Order for the Wearing of Face Coverings in Workplaces and Public Settings Starting Tuesday, August 3rd

Posted on August 2, 2021

. DATE OF ORDER: August 2, 2021 EFFECTIVE DATE: August 3, 2021 . On July 27, 2021, CDC updated guidance for fully vaccinated people given new evidence on the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant. CDC recommends that fully vaccinated persons wear a mask in public indoor settings. It also now recommends that fully vaccinated persons get tested after...

Marin County Covid Update – 7/23/21

Posted on July 26, 2021

Marin County Public Health has reported the first COVID-19 death of a county resident since mid-May. The resident had not been vaccinated against COVID-19 and died Wednesday, July 21, after being admitted to a hospital with respiratory symptoms. The fatality was the 186th in Marin during the pandemic. All Marin County residents who have died from COVID-19...

PG&E Programs to Help Support Those Impacted by the Pandemic

Posted on June 21, 2021

Customers who have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic can now find new and updated information and web resources on various programs available to those who are behind on their bills and/or needing financial assistance due to the ongoing pandemic by going to: pge.com/covid19 Or click here for resources: English Spanish

Town Council Temporarily Prohibits Evictions Without Cause

Posted on June 18, 2021

The Town Council adopted Ordinance No. 853 on June 16, 2021, to temporarily prohibit evictions without cause through September 30, 2021. Read the ordinance here.

Emergency Broadband Benefit Available

Posted on May 25, 2021

The Federal Communications Commission launched a temporary program to help families and households struggling to afford Internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Emergency Broadband Benefit provides a discount of up to $50 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households...

Marin Progresses from Red Tier to Orange

Posted on March 29, 2021

The State of California has announced that Marin County will be moving from “red” to “orange” status in the Blueprint for a Safer Economy, effective Wednesday, March 24. The move from tier 2 or “substantial risk” status to the less restrictive tier 3 or “moderate risk” level is based on consecutive weeks of progress in...

Help Making Vaccination Appointments

Posted on March 19, 2021

Marin County residents who have been unable to make their own COVID-19 vaccination appointments via the internet can call a new Access Service Center at 833-641-1988 to get assistance from a real live human being. The Marin Access Service Call-Center is intended for local residents without internet service who need assistance with registration, transportation, and communication related...

Pandemic Relief for Businesses Extended

Posted on March 19, 2021

Applications remain open until March 22 for Marin County Small Business Fund The application period has been extended through March 22 for qualified small business owners in Marin County to apply for federal relief funding targeted to businesses hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Marin County Small Business Fund has $915,000 to distribute in...

Marin Graduates to Tier 2 COVID-19 Status

Posted on February 26, 2021

Declining infection rates prompts wider reopening San Rafael, CA – The State of California has announced that Marin County will move from “purple” to “red” status in the Blueprint for a Safer Economy effective Wednesday, February 24. The move from Tier 1 or “widespread risk” status to the less restrictive Tier 2 or “substantial risk”...

Marin County Small Business Fund: Application Period Opened February 22

Posted on February 18, 2021

San Rafael, CA – Beginning February 22, qualified small business owners in Marin County may apply to receive a portion of $915,000 in federal relief funding targeted businesses hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. The money will be in the form of grants of no more than $10,000 and interest-free loans of no more than...

Health Officials Cite Supply Challenges for Slow Vaccination Pace

Posted on January 29, 2021

Less than 500 doses per day available in Marin through February 6 San Rafael, CA – Marin County’s network of health care partners is coordinating efforts to streamline COVID-19 vaccine distribution and is committed to moving as quickly as possible to vaccinate the most vulnerable. Unfortunately, vaccine scarcity is a shared problem. “We want to...

Marin Vaccine Distribution Focuses on 75 and Older – Interest Form Available to Help Future Groups Know When it’s Their Turn

Posted on January 22, 2021

San Rafael, CA – Marin County Public Health and healthcare providers have committed to focusing vaccination efforts across the county for residents age 75 and older, in a joint strategy designed to save lives. Over the past month, local interest in the COVID-19 vaccine has grown large, which bodes well for turning the pandemic tide...

What is Allowed to Operate Under the Current Regional Stay Home Order?

Posted on December 18, 2020

As of, December 8 at 12pm, the State of California’s Regional Stay Home Order is in effect for Marin County. Under the Stay Home order, all gatherings with members of other households are prohibited, except as expressly permitted in the State’s Regional Stay Home order. The intent of the order is to reduce gatherings and activity in...

Residential Rental Assistance Program

Posted on September 17, 2020

The Town Council recently established a Residential Rental Assistance Program to assist extremely low-income Fairfax renters whose household incomes were adversely affected by COVID-19. The program is administered by St. Vincent de Paul and Ritter Center. They will inform applicants of the program requirements. Funds are limited and provided on a first-come, first serve basis. If you...

Special Town Council Meeting: Presentation on the Use of Outdoor Spaces to Assist Downtown Businesses

Posted on May 22, 2020

Wednesday, May 27, 6-8pm Presentation by John Bela, Fairfax Resident and Director/Partner Gehl Studio in San Francisco, followed by public input and Q&A. As the economy reopens it will do so with social distancing requirements. It will be difficult for businesses to operate and serve anywhere close to their pre-COVID customer numbers in the existing footprint...

Bay Area Health Officers Issue Joint Statement re Progress on COVID-19 Indicators, and Next Steps for Reopening May 18

Posted on May 18, 2020

The following is a joint statement from health officers in the counties of Marin, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, and Santa Clara, plus the City of Berkeley. Thanks to the steadfast commitment of our residents to stay home, practice social distancing, and follow public health guidance, we have seen sustained progress on several key indicators regarding containment...

A Message from Mayor Goddard to the Community – May 3rd

Posted on May 4, 2020

Dear Fairfax Community, As many of you know by now, in line with the current State Executive Orders, our Marin County Public Health Officer has issued a new order effective May 4th, which extends the Shelter In Place until May 31st with some minor modifications for certain sectors. For some, this modification may ease the...

Marin County Mayors’ Message to the Community

Posted on April 10, 2020

Building and Planning Services Coronavirus Health Order and Restrictions on Construction

Posted on April 7, 2020

Building and Planning Services Coronavirus Health Order and Restrictions on Construction Frequently Asked Questions April 6, 2020 On March 31, 2020, the Marin County Health Officer extended the shelter-in-place order (“Public Health Order”) through May 3, 2020. Among changes made are additional restrictions placed on construction activities. With the exception of “essential” construction, most existing...

Bay Area Health Officers Issue Updated Stay-at-Home Order; Marin Releases Updated Parks Closure Order

Posted on March 31, 2020

Bay Area Health Officers Issue Updated Stay-at-Home Order; Marin Releases Updated Parks Closure Order More time and additional restrictions needed to slow the spread and reduce future impact on local hospitals from COVID-19 San Rafael, CA - Health officers in seven Bay Area jurisdictions – including Marin County -- are updating a previous stay-at-home...

County Adopts COVID-19 Ban on Evictions for Residents and Businesses

Posted on March 25, 2020

On March 24, 2020, the Marin County Board of Supervisors approved an emergency resolution to prevent residents and business owners from being evicted because of a sudden loss of income tied to the COVID-19 pandemic. This ban is in effect countywide in every city, town, and unincorporated area of Marin County and lasts until May...

The Fairfax Food Pantry Will Be OPEN Saturdays 8:30-10:30am

Posted on March 20, 2020

The Fairfax Food Pantry will be OPEN Saturdays 8:30-10:30am The Community Church (2398 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Fairfax). Be advised that because of the COVID 19 virus, customers will receive food in pre-bagged fashion, not "Famers" Market style. We ask that people maintain a safe 6 foot distance from others and that you pick up...

Town Launches 1 to 1 Volunteer Program to Match Local Residents in Need with Volunteers to Assist Them

Posted on March 20, 2020

The Fairfax community has organized and we are here to help! From shopping to getting prescriptions filled to picking up your delicious take-out or dog walking. The Town has established a 1 to 1 volunteer matching service to support and protect people in need during this difficult time. Volunteers will help neighbors feel less nervous and alone...

A Message from Mayor Goddard to the Community

Posted on March 19, 2020

A Message From Our Mayor Dear Fairfax Community, On a conference call this week, I was reminded by the Chair of the Fairfax Volunteers, that caring for community members and volunteerism is an immune booster. I just scrolled through our uniquely Fairfax social media sites and feel an immediate immune system surge. There are offers...

Governor Releases New One-Stop Website for Covid-19 Resources

Posted on March 19, 2020

The State has created a new one-stop website for COVID-19 resources. This is a substantial source of information with unemployment , small business assistance and paid sick leave resources

Town Council Unanimously Ratified a Proclamation of the Existence of a Local Emergency

Posted on March 18, 2020

On Tuesday, March 17, the Town Council unanimously ratified a Proclamation of the Existence of a Local Emergency in repose to the spread of the Coronavirus and the County Public Health Order to shelter in Place. The proclamation of local emergency will mobilize resources, accelerate emergency planning, streamline staffing, and allow for future reimbursement by...

Shelter in Place Order Issued

Posted on March 16, 2020

Marin County Health Officer has an issued an order directing residents to shelter in place until April 7th Read the Shelter In Place Order here to see the definitions of “essential” activities allowed under the Order.