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 city manager, as the director of emergency operations, to mobilize local resources, coordinate interagency response, accelerate procurement of vital supplies, use mutual aid, and seek future reimbursement by state and federal governments that will be critically necessary to the city’s response to COVID-19.

“Earlier today I proclaimed a local emergency in the City of Arcadia in response to a confirmed case of COVID-19 in our community,” said Lazzaretto. “Foremost, the proclamation ensures that we have the tools and resources necessary for the next phase of preventative measures in order to slow the spread of COVID-19. We are in constant contact with our community partners to ensure a coordinated response to this unprecedented crisis. The city is also in contact with the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce to determine how best to reduce the impact on affected businesses. The most important thing, however, is that the public at-large take the guidance provided by our public health officials seriously. Social distancing is the most important method of slowing the spread of COVID-19.”

The emergency declaration for City Council consideration on Tuesday night includes provisions making price gouging unlawful in the city and provides tenant protections against evictions for non-payment of rent due to a verified COVID-19 financial impact. The City Council will also consider discontinuing water shut-offs to residents and businesses, along with the suspension of penalties for delinquent water and sewer payments, and fees for parking violations, for the duration of the emergency.

Furthermore, on March 15, 2020, Governor Newsom called for bars, wineries, nightclubs and brewpubs to close and urged seniors over age 65 and citizens with chronic health conditions to isolate themselves at home. The governor also stated that restaurants should, among other things, provide food service in a take-out capacity to help support social distancing. In addition to the calls made by the governor, the Los Angeles County Public Health Department also recommended the closing of gyms, fitness centers, movie theaters, live performances, bowling alleys, massage parlors, and arcades. On Monday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention authored new guidance suggesting that groups and public gatherings should be limited to 10 persons. The City of Arcadia is encouraging Arcadia residents and businesses to follow these pronouncements.

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

If the public wishes to conduct city business, contact the city department you are requesting services from directly.

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 from local, state, and federal public health officials, the risk of contracting the virus remains low. There are steps individuals can take to help minimize and prevent the spread of COVID-19. These include:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching face (eyes, nose, and mouth) with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw it in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Practice social distancing; maintain at least 6 feet from others.
• Avoid groups larger than 10 persons.

Anyone who was recently in an area that is currently experiencing a high infection rate of COVID-19 and feels sick with a fever, cough, or has difficulty breathing within 14 days after leaving should:

• Seek medical care right away. Before going to a doctor’s office or emergency room, patients should call ahead and tell them about their recent travel and symptoms.
• Self-quarantine and avoid contact with others.
• Not travel while sick.
• Cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or their sleeve (not their hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to avoid spreading the virus to others. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

For more information regarding the 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.