Arcadia Proclaims Local Emergency

Proclamation includes community protection provisions, city becomes eligible for emergency funding from state and federal sources

Arcadia City Manager Dominic Lazzaretto issued a Proclamation of Local Emergency Monday paving the way for the city to enact emergency provisions designed to protect the community from further COVID-19 transmission, in addition to making the city eligible for reimbursement for COVID-19 transmission mitigation expenses. The proclamation was issued after the city was notified by public health officials of one confirmed case of COVID-19 in Arcadia. The Arcadia City Council will review the proclamation for ratification at its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, March 17, 2020.

The proclamation provides the citymanager, as the director of emergency operations, to mobilize local resources,coordinate interagency response, accelerate procurement of vital supplies, usemutual aid, and seek future reimbursement by state and federal governments thatwill be critically necessary to the city’s response to COVID-19.

“Earlier today I proclaimed alocal emergency in the City of Arcadia in response to a confirmed case ofCOVID-19 in our community,” said Lazzaretto. “Foremost, the proclamationensures that we have the tools and resources necessary for the next phase ofpreventative measures in order to slow the spread of COVID-19. We are inconstant contact with our community partners to ensure a coordinated responseto this unprecedented crisis. The city is also in contact with the ArcadiaChamber of Commerce to determine how best to reduce the impact on affectedbusinesses. The most important thing, however, is that the public at-large takethe guidance provided by our public health officials seriously. Socialdistancing is the most important method of slowing the spread of COVID-19.”

Theemergency declaration for City Council consideration on Tuesday night includesprovisions making price gouging unlawful in the city and provides tenantprotections against evictions for non-payment of rent due to a verifiedCOVID-19 financial impact. The City Council will also consider discontinuingwater shut-offs to residents and businesses, along with the suspension ofpenalties for delinquent water and sewer payments, and fees for parkingviolations, for the duration of the emergency.

Furthermore, on March 15, 2020,Governor Newsom called for bars, wineries, nightclubs and brewpubs to close andurged seniors over age 65 and citizens with chronic health conditions to isolatethemselves at home. The governor also stated that restaurants should, amongother things, provide food service in a take-out capacity to help supportsocial distancing. In addition to the calls made by the governor, the LosAngeles County Public Health Department also recommended the closing of gyms,fitness centers, movie theaters, live performances, bowling alleys, massageparlors, and arcades. On Monday, the Centers for Disease Control and Preventionauthored new guidance suggesting that groups and public gatherings should belimited to 10 persons. The City of Arcadia is encouraging Arcadia residents andbusinesses to follow these pronouncements.

In response to additional guidancereceived by federal, state, and local public health officials, Arcadia CityHall was closed to the public on March 16, 2020, until further notice. CityHall is fully staffed to respond to requests for services virtually by phone,email, or online; however, as part of the city’s COVID-19 transmissionmitigation efforts, we are requesting that the public refrain from coming toCity Hall.

If the public wishes to conduct citybusiness, contact the city department you are requesting services fromdirectly.

To view all online service request options, visit ArcadiaCA.gov/request.

As a reminder, the Arcadia Community Center, the Arcadia Public Library, and the Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage are also closed to the public and non-essential personnel. This follows the city’s decision on March 9, 2020, to suspend city-sponsored events. Further, on March 13, 2020, all City of Arcadia Recreation & Community Services Department after school programs at AUSD schools were cancelled for the same duration of the district’s closure.

Per the latest information fromlocal, state, and federal public health officials, the risk of contracting thevirus remains low. There are steps individuals can take to help minimize andprevent the spread of COVID-19. These include:

• Wash yourhands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoidtouching face (eyes, nose, and mouth) with unwashed hands.
• Avoid closecontact with people who are sick.
• Stay homewhen you are sick.
• Cover yourcough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw it in the trash.
• Clean anddisinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Practicesocial distancing; maintain at least 6 feet from others.
• Avoid groupslarger than 10 persons.

Anyone who was recently in anarea that is currently experiencing a high infection rate of COVID-19 and feelssick with a fever, cough, or has difficulty breathing within 14 days afterleaving should:

• Seek medicalcare right away. Before going to a doctor’s office or emergency room, patientsshould call ahead and tell them about their recent travel and symptoms.
• Self-quarantineand avoid contact with others.
• Not travelwhile sick.
• Cover theirmouth and nose with a tissue or their sleeve (not their hands) when coughing orsneezing.
• Wash handsoften with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to avoid spreading the virusto others. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are notavailable.

For more information regardingthe COVID-19, visit any of the following websites:

• Los Angeles County Department of Public Health: publichealth.lacounty.gov.
• California Department of Public Health: cdph.gov.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: cdc.gov.

For more information regarding the City of Arcadia’s response to COVID-19 along with future updates regarding city events and services, visit ArcadiaCA.gov or call (626) 574-5401. The city website also now includes a page dedicated to COVID-19.

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