COVID-19 Update – A Message from The City Council and City of Solana Beach | | COVID-19 continues to be a significant health concern throughout the world and in the U.S., including right here locally in San Diego County. We would like to assure the community that we are taking all necessary precautions to prepare for and respond to this emergency to keep people safe, reduce anxiety, and give people some peace of mind. In previous eBlasts, the City has listed steps it has already taken, including the Proclamation of a Local Emergency, and rest assured, additional measures have and will continue to be implemented and communicated to the public.
As part of the City’s actions to protect the public’s health and safety, all City Council and City Commission meetings have been suspended to comply with local emergency requirements. However, a Special City Council meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, 2020, to ratify the City’s Proclamation of a Local Emergency. You can find information on how to watch and participate in tomorrow’s Special Meeting and see the agenda here.
Please note per State of California Executive Order N-25-20, and in the interest of public health and safety, we are encouraging the public to practice social distancing. Pursuant to this order, you can email comments to the City Clerk at aivey@cosb.org before the commencement of the agenda item. If you indicate accordingly, your submitted public comment will be read into the record at the Council Meeting for up to three minutes or in accordance with the time period established by the Mayor.
All other Council Meetings and City Commission meetings remain canceled at this time. Please watch for notifications regarding the scheduling of future Council Meetings. | | Public Health Update Due to the public health risk posed by the spread of COVID-19, we request that if you are ill or show any symptoms of being sick, that you stay home. In response to updated direction of the San Diego County Health Officer, please also avoid any gatherings of more than ten (10) people and observe the “social distancing” measure of maintaining a distance of at least six (6) feet from other people. These basic steps are in response to national, state, and local directive including those of Governor Newsom and the San Diego County Health Officer that limit social gatherings and recommend social distancing and self-isolation measures. The objective of these measures is to mitigate and slow the spread of COVID-19 and to protect those most vulnerable to this illness. While we emphasize and underscore the importance of remaining calm during this challenging time, we also want to ensure that the City, along with members of the public, are collectively protecting all members of the public as we navigate this pandemic. | | Local Emergency & City Actions
To effectively mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and following the guidance of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and local and state officials, the City must also act to implement social distancing and social gatherings directives.
Accordingly, along with the Proclamation of a Local Emergency, the City has taken the following actions:
- All public facilities are closed to the public until further notice
- Closures include City Hall, La Colonia Community Center, Fletcher Cove Community Center, the Marine Safety Center, and the Fire Station
- City Hall will be operational but closed to the public providing only essential emergency or critical services and by appointment only on an as-needed basis
- All Public Safety and Public Works services will remain fully operational
- All regular City Council Meetings, City Commission Meetings, and in-person Staff meetings are canceled until further notice
- All Special Events are canceled until further notice
- Enrollment for Summer Camp will be delayed, and Enrollment for Jr. Lifeguards and Surf Camp will be suspended until further notice
- Governor Newsom and the CDC recommend that persons of 65 years of age or older and those with underlying health conditions or compromised immune systems should stay at home
Again, these measures are intended to mitigate and minimize the spread of COVID-19. To accomplish this, we all must do our part to limit our social interaction to the maximum extent possible, as outlined by the CDC and by our local and state health officials. | | Latest numbers The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency updates the number of known cases daily on its website. Please keep in mind that many people who have COVID-19 and are not necessarily showing symptoms but might still be contagious. Until testing is more widely available, we won’t really know the true number of cases. | | Getting Food and Groceries
Another critical topic is the availability of food and – yes – toilet paper. Please be advised that grocery stories are considered essential services, meaning they are not likely to close during this health emergency. The state has taken steps to make sure deliveries to stores continue. So there is no need to hoard. Even if San Diego County issues a “shelter in place” order, you will still be allowed to go out for essential needs, like food. | | Trash and Recycling Service
There will be no impact of change in trash and recycling collection throughout the City. EDCO has assured us of their plan to remain on schedule; however, there will be some impacts to in-person public access at their facilities. More to come on this in a separate email, but rest assured there will be no impacts to the local collection. Put your recycling and trash out on your regular day. We’re working hard to make sure city services continue as normally as possible during this very not normal time. | | Water Service
The Santa Fe Irrigation District (SFID) and the San Diego County Water Authority have assured us that they and their 24-member agencies are doing everything possible to address this complicated situation, from following health and safety protocols to ensuring the continued operation of the water treatment and delivery system, regardless of the challenges. The Water Authority released this statement today that demonstrates their commitment to the region’s water safety and security. In addition, the Water Authority is updating its website – www.sdcwa.org – as the situation evolves. SFID has also provided information on its website at www.sfid.org. | | City Resources
If you would like to continue receiving updates from the City, please sign up for the City eblast through this link.
If you have any questions, please call the City’s main number at 858-720-2400, and you will be directed to the appropriate number based on your need(s). For information on COVID-19, visit the City’s homepage www.ci.solana-beach.ca.us.
The City continues to request the patience and cooperation of the community as we navigate this difficult situation. We will continue to provide essential services to the public, particularly those involving the protection of public health and safety. To that end, we ask that all members of the community continue to observe the County Health Officer Order and the following personal health practices:
- Stay home and seek medical attention in the event of fever, cough, or shortness of breath
- Wash your hands often with soap for at least 20 seconds
- Limit the touching of your eyes, nose, or mouth
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze
- Clean all shared equipment before and after use
- Avoid unnecessary travel
- Avoid public places where people might congregate
At this time, City parks and beaches remain open to the public, and park restrooms will be open and accessible during operating hours. But, again, you are reminded to maintain appropriate social distancing including not participating in group activities or games of sport. Additional maintenance will be conducted to clean, disinfect, and stock restrooms. The City has also placed handwashing stations in 2 community locations (La Colonia Community Park and Fletcher Cove Park) to encourage and facilitate proper hygiene.
Additionally, the City would like you to please consider supporting local businesses during this difficult time. Here are a few ways you can continue to support our small business community:
- ORDER TAKEOUT or DELIVERY: Your favorite restaurants may have had to close their doors, but many of them still offer takeout or delivery.
- BUY GIFT CARDS: Help support local small businesses by purchasing a gift card that you can use at a future date.
- SHOP LOCAL ONLINE: Many of our local businesses have online stores that are open 24/7!
As of March 18, 2020, all San Diego County Branch Libraries have been closed through March 31, 2020. County Libraries will be establishing curbside pickup on weekdays between 9:00 AM and 4:30 PM. The public can still access the library’s e-resources 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For more information, please the County Library’s website at www.sdcl.org. | | County & State Resources
To review the most recent County orders, please visit the following links:
Additionally, for information on Governor Newsom’s recent actions, please visit the links below:
If you are in need of assistance or help finding community or disaster services Dial: 2-1-1. 2-1-1 San Diego is a resource and information hub that connects people with community, health and disaster services.
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