SANTA ANA, Ca. (March 12, 2020): The Orange County Sheriff’s Department is requesting all potential jail visitors to evaluate the necessity of their visit and limit non-essential jail visits to reduce the possibility of exposure to COVID-19, also known as novel Coronavirus.

As recommended by the Center for Disease Control, the California Department of Public Health and the Orange County Health Care Agency, any person, including those visiting our jails, should stay away from public gatherings if exhibiting symptoms such as a fever, a cough, or shortness of breath. As a precautionary measure, jail visitors exhibiting signs of illness will be refused access until symptoms subside.

“We are following public health guidelines to protect the health and safety of those who may be visiting our jails,” said Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes. “This is a precautionary measure consistent with health organizations’ recommendations to limit oneself from attending large gatherings, as is often experienced during the visiting process. There are currently no inmates exhibiting symptoms of the virus, and visits with inmates in the Orange County Jail are non-contact.” 

Signage will be posted at each jail facility with recommendations consistent with public health messaging. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department, in cooperation with public health officials, will reevaluate as the COVID-19 situation continues to develop.

For visiting hours and information, visit https://bit.ly/2IJ9MmU and find the facility that you are visiting for site-specific information.

At this time, there are no changes to patrol operations. Deputies will respond to emergency and non-emergency calls for service consistent with Department protocol. In effort to safeguard the public and personnel, deputies will attempt to maintain a safe social distance when possible.

For information regarding novel Coronavirus in Orange County, visit the Orange County Health Care Agency’s dedicated website www.ochealthinfo.com/novelcoronavirus.