Wine Country Times

The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors has bolstered protections for Sonoma County residents who are struggling amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, a press release said. 

Two urgent ordinances were passed, one amending the COVID‐19 Eviction Defense Urgency Ordinance by bolstering eviction protections for residents and another expanding paid sick leave to 80 hours, which was originally established in August. 

"We cannot ignore the continuing nature of the COVID‐19 pandemic and the strain it puts on the health and finances of local residents," Lynda Hopkins, chair of the Board of Supervisors, said in the press release. "These ordinances are essential – one further protects renters from losing their homes when they are unable to make rent due to hardships caused by COVID-19, and the other protects workers in the unincorporated area from having to go to work sick." 

The eviction protections passed will close loopholes under Just Cause Limitations which previously allowed landlords to evict residents for minor leasing infractions. The update to the ordinance provides protections to residents unable to pay rent due to COVID-19. 

Additional resident protections from eviction may be passed in the near future as the Biden administration is poised to pass another round of COVID relief, which could include added protections and benefits to tenants and homeowners who are struggling to make ends meet. 

Also, the Urgency Paid Sick Leave Ordinance has been expanded from its original form passed in August 2020, which expired in December, to provide coverage for up to 80 hours of paid sick leave. Employers are required to recognize the 80 hours per the updated ordinance. 

"No one should have to choose between putting food on the table and potentially exposing their coworkers to COVID-19," Hopkins said. 

Sonoma County's move to bolster protections for residents comes at a crucial time during the COVID-19 pandemic which has left widespread economic ruin throughout California and the greater U.S.