Update: March 16, 2020
City of Emeryville to Comply with Legal Order to
Shelter in Place
– All City Facilities Closed to the Public, All Non-Essential Services Ceased –
MARCH 17th THROUGH APRIL 7th
Alameda County has joined six other Bay Area public health jurisdictions to issue an order for all Alameda County residents to shelter in place to slow the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and preserve critical health care capacity across the region.
Alameda County joined Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties, along with the City of Berkeley, on a legal order directing their respective residents to shelter at home for three weeks beginning at 12:01 a.m. on March 17, 2020. The Order (see link, below) limits activity, travel and business functions to only the most essential needs. The guidance comes after substantial input from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and best practices from other health officials around the world.
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS ORDER, THE CITY OF EMERYVILLE IS CLOSING ALL CITY FACILITIES AND CEASING ALL NON-ESSENTIAL SERVICE ACTIVITIES.
PUBLIC SAFETY SERVICES TO REMAIN IN OPERATION
Police, Fire and all first-responder services, and essential Public Works infrastructure services, will remain in operation. Emergency management personnel, emergency dispatchers, court personnel, and law enforcement personnel, and others who need to perform essential services are exempt from the Order. Our first responders are on the job prioritizing the health and safety of the community. To help limit the spread of coronavirus, we encourage the public to utilize our online police reporting services here or calling our 24/7 non-emergency line at (510) 596-3700. In the event of an emergency, dial 9-1-1 for assistance.
Additionally, public works construction, construction of housing, airport operations, water, sewer, gas, electrical, oil refining, roads and highways, public transportation, solid waste collection and removal, internet, and telecommunications systems (including the provision of essential global, national, and local infrastructure for computing services, business infrastructure, communications, and web-based services will continue.
ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT INFORMATION
City Administration
The City Hall Administration building and Old Town Hall, located at 1333 Park Avenue, will be closed as of Tuesday, March 17th through Tuesday, April 7th.
The March 17th City Council Meeting is CANCELLED. The City Council is working on scheduling a special Council meeting that can be conducted by telephone, consistent with the Governor’s Executive Order, to conduct essential City business.
Community Development
Public Counter: Drop-in activities will cease during the closure period of March 17th through April 7th.
Building inspections: Inspections may be scheduled by calling the Building Inspection request line and leaving a detailed voicemail message. Prior to requesting an inspection, the general contractor shall verify that the work to be inspected is complete and ready for inspection. All inspection requests shall be phoned in to the City of Emeryville inspection line at 510- 596-4315 before 7:00 a.m., the business day on which the inspection is requested.
Planning and Zoning: No appointments will be made in during the period from March 17th through April 7th. For urgent questions about Planning application matters, please contact Navarre Oaks at noaks@emeryville.org.
Public Works
Encroachment Permits and Public Works Inspection: Email encroachment permit applications and Public Works inspection requests to Keely Nelson, Associate Civil Engineer, at knelson@emeryville.org. Fees for new permits will be invoiced once City Hall is re-opened. Emergency work necessary for the preservation of life or property may be conducted without a permit, as long as a permit application is submitted as soon as reasonably possible to knelson@emeryville.org.
City Finance Department Functions
- New business license applications and business license renewals will not be processed during the closure; business license certificates will not be mailed out to businesses until after City Hall re-opens.
- Vendor checks will not be processed, issued or mailed out until after City Hall re-opens.
- Staff will respond to inquiries when City Hall is re-opened.
Resources for Seniors
2-1-1 is available 24 hours/day, 7 days a week throughout the year and connects callers to health, housing and human services. Calling or clicking on 2-1-1 will connect you to trained resource specialists who have access a huge database of information about health, housing and human services programs available in Alameda County. The information includes assistance with rent and utilities, food, emergency shelter, employment, medical (physical, mental and emotional health), transportation, and other critical needs and overall information for seniors and their families. Information can be provided in over 300 different languages. Click here for more information, or dial 2-1-1 on your telephone.
Another resource is the Born to Age directory for older adults which is available in hard copy or online and includes health, housing and human services listings available in Alameda County. Click here for more information.
Paid Sick Leave Guidance
This is an important reminder to all Emeryville employers and employees of Emeryville businesses about Emeryville’s Sick Leave Law and guidance from the State of California regarding paid leave and unemployment eligibility. Please read the full memo here.
Social Distancing and Personal Hygiene
Scientific evidence shows social distancing is one of the most effective approaches to slow the transmission of communicable disease. The shelter-at-home order follows new data of increasing local transmission of COVID-19, including 258 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 4 deaths shared by the seven jurisdictions, as of March 15. The Bay Area’s collected confirmed cases is more than half of California’s case count. This does not account for the rapidly increasing number of assumed cases of community transmission. As testing capacity increases, the number of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases is expected to increase markedly.
The order defines essential activities as necessary for the health and safety for individuals and their families. Essential businesses allowed to operate during the recommended action include health care operations; businesses that provide food, shelter, and social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals; fresh and non-perishable food retailers (including convenience stores); pharmacies; child care facilities; gas stations; banks; laundry businesses and services necessary for maintaining the safety, sanitation and essential operation of a residence. In addition, health care, law and safety, and essential government functions will continue under the recommended action. For the full list, please see section 10 of the Order.
The CDC continues to provide and update guidance for preventing the spread of COVID-19 in communities. For additional information visit CDC’S website.
Prevention & Good Hygiene Remain Key
The best way to reduce the risk of becoming infected with a respiratory virus, whether the flu or COVID-19, is to practice good hygiene:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water is not available
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or crook of your elbow (not your hands). If you use a tissue, throw it away and wash your hands afterward
- Avoid touching your face
- Stay home from work or school if you have a fever or are feeling sick
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe
- Get your flu shot to protect against flu
Additional information, including what to do if you are feeling sick and official updates from Alameda County Public Health are available here.