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COVID-19 Updates: Get the latest public information related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) at ReadySLO.org.

The Environmental Health Services (EHS) office is closed to in-person visitation until further notice, however we remain open for business via www.slocounty.ca.gov/ContactEHS or by telephone at (805) 781-5544.  Please visit www.slocounty.ca.gov/CurrentEHSOperations for EHS COVID-19 guidance documents.

The Public Health Department is actively responding to COVID-19. At the same time, we continue to provide essential services in the safest way possible, including telephone or remote appointments (through your mobile phone or computer) and in-person visits when needed. 

The Health Agency is actively responding to COVID-19 and continuing to provide other essential services. Please see updates from Animal Services, Behavioral Health, Public Guardian and Public Health. 

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Elizabeth A. Pozzebon, DrPH, REHS

Elizabeth A. Pozzebon, DrPH, REHS

Environmental Health Division Director

Environmental Health Supervisors

Laurie Salo (805) 781-5552; [email protected]

  • Body Art, Food Protection, Swimming Pools and Spas, and Vector Programs

Leslie Terry (805) 781-5553; [email protected]

  • Beach Water Quality, Cross-Connection, Land Use, Small Public Water Systems and Water Well Programs

Aaron LaBarre (805) 781-5595; [email protected]

  • Hazardous Materials (CUPA) Programs
coronavirus COVID-19 under a microscope

Current Environmental Health Services Operations

Author: Environmental Health Services Staff
Date: 7/8/2020 12:11:59 PM

Operational Changes and COVID-19 Guidelines and Information

Please visit ReadySLO's Guidance for Safe Operations page or the state's Blueprint for a Safer Economy page for the latest information and guidance on reopening restaurants, public swimming pools and body art facilities, as well as future reopening plans for water parks. 

California has a new Blueprint for a Safer Economy for reducing COVID-19 in the state with revised criteria for loosening and tightening restrictions on activities. The County of San Luis Obispo is currently in the Substantial (Tier 2- Red) county risk level of the new color-tiered framework.  Please visit ReadySLO's Guidance for Safe Operations page or the Blueprint for a Safer Economy page for information on the modifications.

  • Outdoor public swimming pools are allowed to remain open.  
  • Outdoor hot tubs/spas can open only for use by household groups or in cases where six feet of distancing can be maintained. 
  • Indoor pools, indoor hot tubs/spas, saunas and steam rooms are required to continue to suspend operations, except for infant drowning rescue courses.​
  • Water parks, both indoor and outdoor, remain closed.
  • Body art facilities can open indoor with modifications during any Tier. The Expanded Personal Care Services guidance document  has been updated as of October 20, 2020.
  • Restaurants may open indoors with modifications with a maximum of 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer. 
  • Tents can be used for outdoor dining, but only if they have a top and at least three sides that are open-air.  
  • Bars, brew pubs, breweries and pubs must close all operations both indoors and outdoors unless they have outdoor food service in compliance with the California Retail Food Code and alcohol sales are made in the same transaction as a meal.

For general COVID-19 information, please visit ReadySLO or call (805) 543-2444.

To file a COVID-19 related complaint, please call (805) 788-2222.

Reopening Procedures Guidance Videos

COVID-19 Supplemental Guidance Documents

Ready to Reopen Toolkit

Face Covering Signage English

Face Covering Signage Spanish

Model On-Site Dining Signage for Food Facilities

Model Social Distancing Signage for Grocery Stores

Model Social Distancing Signage for Hazmat Facilities

Ready to Reopen Toolkit

General Cleaning and Disinfection

Disinfection Guidance (English)​

Disinfection Guidance (Spanish)​

Do Not Mix These Cleaning Products

Workplace Guidance for Worker Positive for COVID-19

Workplace Guidance for Worker Positive for COVID-19

Food Safety

For reopening procedures and to refer to state guidelines for modified conditions to operate, please visit ReadySLO's Guidance for Safe Operations page or the state's Blueprint for a Safer Economy page.

Supplemental Guidelines

Guidance for Outdoor Restaurants

Guidance for Restaurants, Bars, and Wineries 

Retail Food Facilities Guidance Planning Checklist English

Retail Food Facilities Guidance Planning Checklist Spanish

Guidance for Food Facilities InfoGraphic English

Guidance for Food Facilities InfoGraphic Spanish

Outdoor Dining Consideration Points

Guidance for Food Delivery and Pickup

Certified Farmers' Markets

For reopening procedures and to refer to state guidelines for modified conditions to operate, please visit ReadySLO's Guidance for Safe Operations page or the state's Blueprint for a Safer Economy page.

Supplemental Guidelines

Guidance for Certified Farmers' Markets InfoGraphic English

Guidance for Certified Farmers' Markets InfoGraphic Spanish

Hazardous Materials

For reopening procedures and to refer to state guidelines for modified conditions to operate, please visit ReadySLO's Guidance for Safe Operations page or the state's Blueprint for a Safer Economy page.

Supplemental Guidelines

Guidance for Hazmat Facilities InfoGraphic English

Guidance for Hazmat Facilities InfoGraphic Spanish

Body Art Facilities

For reopening procedures and to refer to state guidelines for modified conditions to operate, please visit ReadySLO's Guidance for Safe Operations page or the state's Blueprint for a Safer Economy page.

Supplemental Guidelines

Expanded Personal Care Services

Body Ar Facilities InfoGraphic English

Body Art Facilities InfoGraphic Spanish

Body Art Guidance Planning Checklist English

Body Art Guidance Planning Checklist Spanish

Body Art Sample Cleaning Log

Public Swimming Pools and Public Spa Pools

For reopening procedures and to refer to state guidelines for modified conditions to operate, please visit ReadySLO's Guidance for Safe Operations page or Blueprint for a Safer Economy page.  

• Campgrounds / RV Parks

• Outdoor Recreation (including apartments and HOAs)

• Fitness Centers / Gyms • Hotels 

Supplemental Guidelines

Public Swimming Pool InfoGraphic English

Public Swimming Pool InfoGraphic Spanish