BENICIA — Sunday, City Manager Lorie Tinfow, in her authority as Director of Emergency Services, issued a proclamation of local emergency in the City of Benicia in accordance with California Emergency Services Act and Benicia Municipal Code in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The City Council will ratify the declaration within seven days.

“We have no diagnosed cases of COVID-19 in Benicia. Issuing a proclamation of local emergency follows actions already taken by the County of Solano and the State of California and positions the City of Benicia for possible reimbursement from the State and Federal agencies for costs incurred during this public health emergency,” said Tinfow. “Doing so also allows for greater management flexibility in issues associated with City employees as disaster service workers.”

“I know I speak for the entire City Council when I express our concern for the safety and well-being of our community members during this uncertain time, especially those most vulnerable among us,” said Mayor Elizabeth Patterson. “Our excellent City staff are taking necessary actions to protect the community. Council will ratify the declaration and do what we can to assist City staff in protecting everyone.”

The local emergency will continue until terminated by the Benicia City Council. On Tuesday, March 17, the City of Benicia closed the following facilities to minimize COVID-19 exposure to City staff and the public:

• All City buildings including City Hall, Benicia Public Library (virtual service will be available), Benicia Community Center and Benicia Senior Center.

• The lobby areas of Benicia Fire Department and the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

• City facilities, which includes James Lemos Swim Center, Benicia Clock Tower, City Gym, and all park restrooms. This includes cancellation of facility and parks rentals.

• The Antifreeze, Battery, Oil and Paint Center at the Corporation Yard will be closed and the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Door-to-Door pickup will be stopped. (Contra Costa HHW will also be closed.)

In addition, the City Council meeting of Tuesday, March 17, 2020 and all other public meetings of Boards and Commissions are canceled. Although the City’s public building and facilities will be closed, much of our City staff will continue their duties with an emphasis on those operating critical infrastructure and public safety. At this time, the closure is set to last through March 31, 2020. City staff will examine circumstances on a daily basis and may extend the closures. If you have a critical issue that needs attention during the closure, you may call the following numbers 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Thursday and alternate Fridays, and expect a return phone call:

707.746.4200: City Manager’s Office, City Council, City Attorney’s Office, City Clerk’s Office

707.746.4289: Economic Development

707.746.4766: Human Resources

707.746.4225: Finance, Water/Sewer Service, Accounts Payable

707.746.4275: Fire Department non-emergency

707.746.4340: Library

707.746.4285: Parks & Community Services

707.746.3411: Police Department non-emergency

707.746.4230: Community Development, Building Inspection/Permits

707.746.4240: Public Works

707.745.3411: Emergency sewer, water, roads issues after hours.

The City of Benicia continues to closely monitor the ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak through local, county and state health officials. Our top priority is always the health, safety and well-being of our community.

As conditions change, updates will be shared on the Coronavirus webpage at https://www.ci.benicia.ca.us/coronavirus.

What can you do?

• See the CDC’s Coronavirus Disease website for updates, news and symptoms to watch out for.

• Wash your hands often and cover coughs and sneezes.

• Maintain your social distance (no hand shaking or hugging) at events and gatherings.

• Stay in touch with older adults and encourage them to seek medical assistance, if they develop symptoms.

BUSD extends school closure to April 10

From Superintendent Dr. Charles Young:

Dear Benicia parents and guardians,

In light of recent guidance from the State and Federal Government regarding Covid-19, the Benicia Unified School District is extending its school closure through April 10, which includes spring break. We are monitoring all of this daily and will continue to provide updates.

We deeply appreciate everyone’s patience and partnership during this critical time in world history.

I came across the following from one of my favorite authors Brene Brown:

“Fear and anxiety can drive us to become very self-focused. This global pandemic is a real case of ‘getting sick together’ or ‘staying well together.’ Our choices affect everyone around us. There is no such thing as ‘individual risk’ or ‘individual wellness.’

State ramps up response

Just this week, Gov. Gavin Newsom also issued a new executive order further enhancing California’s ability to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Governor’s order:

– Waives the one-week waiting period for people who are unemployed and/or disabled as a result of COVID-19;

– Delays the deadline for state tax filing by 60 days for individuals and businesses unable to file on time based on compliance with public health requirements related to COVID-19 filings;

– Directs residents to follow public health directives and guidance, including canceling large non-essential gatherings that do not meet state criteria;

– Readies the state to commandeer property for temporary residences and medical facilities for quarantining, isolating or treating individuals;

– Allows local or state legislative bodies to hold meetings via teleconference and to make meetings accessible electronically; and

– Allows local and state emergency administrators to act quickly to protect public health. State

Health & Emergency officials announce latest COVID-19 facts (as of 6 p.m. March 16)

SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Public Health announced Feb. 17 the most recent statistics on COVID-19. California now has 472 confirmed cases.

For more information on COVID-19 and California’s response visit the California Department of Public Health’s website.

COVID-19 in California by the numbers:

11 – Deaths (including one non-California resident)

472 – Positive cases Ages of all confirmed positive cases:

Age 0-17: 7 cases

Age 18-64: 300 cases

Age 65+: 160 cases

Unknown: 5 cases

24 – Cases of positive tests related to federal repatriation flights

448 – Cases not related to repatriation flights

82– Travel-related

75 – Person to person

98 – Community transmission

193 – Under investigation

11,750+ – Number of people self-monitoring who returned to the U.S. through SFO or LAX

49 – Number of local health jurisdictions involved in self-monitoring

22 – Labs with test kits, 21 of which are already testing