Sonoma County follows state and lifts monthlong pandemic lockdown

Although the coronavirus continues infecting Sonoma County residents at an alarming rate and more people in the community have died in January than any month in the pandemic, the county’s top public health official Monday loosened severe restrictions on businesses and public life.

In opting to lift the latest stay-home order in place since Dec. 12, Dr. Sundari Mase followed the lead of state health officials and Gov. Gavin Newsom. Earlier in the day, the governor lifted regional stay-home orders statewide, a move met with surprise and even dismay by some local health officers and medical professionals who questioned the action while the virus rages.