All 7 SLO County cities declare local emergencies due to coronavirus
Update 7 p.m.: At its meeting Tuesday, San Luis Obispo’s City Council unanimously voted to declare a local emergency, citing its municipal code that “includes an epidemic as one of the proper grounds for proclaiming a local emergency.”
The decision marked the last of the local cities to adopt an emergency measure.
Update 6:20 p.m.:
Arroyo Grande also declared a local emergency on Tuesday, according to a news release sent out at 6 p.m.
This makes it the sixth city in San Luis Obispo County to make an emergency declaration in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.
Original story:
Paso Robles on Tuesday became the fourth city in San Luis Obispo County to declare a local emergency due to the coronavirus outbreak.
City Manager Tom Frutchey announced the state of emergency, which took effect at 10 a.m., and the City Council will consider ratifying it at a meeting on Tuesday night, according to a news release.
“The declaration allows for activation of the city’s Emergency Operations Center, which would qualify the city to receive federal reimbursement for COVID-19-related costs to the city and facilitate coordination with county, state, and federal emergency response teams,” the release says.
Paso Robles officials also encourage residents to practice social distancing guidelines and adhere to the Public Health Department’s COVID-19 guidance at readyslo.org.
The Atascadero City Council also ratified a state of emergency declaration on Tuesday during an emergency meeting, according to a city news release.
“This is not cause for concern or panic,” the release reads. “What this very simply means is that the city will be now able to access state and federal funding related to the pandemic, should they be made available, and can activate emergency plans in order to be prepared for any future developments.”
Local emergency declarations in SLO County
The county and the cities of Morro Bay, Pismo Beach and Grover Beach have also declared local states of emergency.
County Administrative Officer Wade Horton declared the county’s emergency on Friday, and the Board of Supervisors ratified it on Tuesday.
The Grover Beach City Council ratified an emergency declaration on Monday night as a “precautionary measure,” according to an announcement on the city’s website.
As of Tuesday afternoon, there are currently three confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the county — one in the North County and two in the South County, according to the Public Health Department.
Residents who want to livestream Tuesday’s Paso Robles City Council meeting — which will be held at 6:30 p.m. — can do so on the city’s YouTube page at youtube.com/user/prcityweb.
Those streaming the meeting can call with comments at 888-867-1694 or submit written comments prior to the meeting at cityclerk@prcity.com.
This story was originally published March 17, 2020 at 12:44 PM.
