Valley hotel operators and owners of vacation properties seek clarification on stay-at-home order

During a news conference Monday morning, Governor Gavin Newsom summed up this way what is and is not allowed at hotels and vacation rental properties currently impacted by the new stay-at-home order.

"The protocols the state put out maintain that lodging can be for essential workers only. Not for tourists and not for leisure," said Newsom.

The statement comes following the release of the order last Thursday, which caused confusion for some valley hotel operators and owners of vacation rental properties.

That's according to Bruce Hoban, who is a board member for Vacation Rental Owners of Palm Springs.

"First of all there is the actual order that was put out by the California health officer and it is what we are legally bound to follow. But unfortunately there are other press releases coming out and other things picked up by the media and they are not consistent," said Hoban.

Seeking clarity, News Channel 3 contacted the California Department of Public Health.

Under the order, hotels and short term rentals are allowed only to offer accommodations for essential workers, to protect homeless populations, for people ordered to quarantine, and for people the state considers essential workers, including TSA workers and medical workers.

That's for as long as the order is in effect.

Also, reservations for non-essential travelers from out of state cannot be accepted unless the reservation is for a minimum of 10 days to allow travelers time to quarantine.

"Of course there are more people concerned about traveling and so they are cancelling their reservations to come to Palm Springs," said Hoban.

During the news conference, the head of the state's Health and Human Services Agency said additional guidance aimed at proving clarity for the lodging industry will be posted on state webpages "very soon".