Based on the rapidly evolving challenges to protect public health and safety related to the spread of COVID-19, Oceanside City Manager Deanna Lorson in her capacity as the City’s Director of Emergency Services signed a Proclamation of Local Emergency today. The emergency proclamation will be considered for ratification by the Oceanside City Council at a special meeting on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. If ratified, the declaration of local emergency must be reviewed periodically until the local emergency is terminated. The City also activated its Emergency Operations Center at Level 3.
The proclamation now enables the City to take additional legal, operational, and recovery measures that may be needed to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic that is affecting communities in San Diego County and across the nation. The declaration of local emergency will not affect the work schedules of Police, Fire, and Oceanside Water Utilities employees, and all essential City services will continue.
City facilities, including City Hall, have limited public access at this time. We encourage residents needing to do business with the City to phone in or access services online. Most City employees will continue to report to work for their regular schedules. Some will be re-assigned to other duties necessitated by the closures. The decision to limit public access to City facilities will be reviewed weekly.
The City has cancelled many large public events at City facilities, per the Order of the County Health Officer. Fees for special events will be refunded or transferred to future dates as applicable.
Online services, including permitting and bill payments, will remain available; bills may also be paid by phone, or by mail. Utility payments may be made at a drop boxes available at the City’s Cashier Office.
No Oceanside Water Utility or SDG&E shut-offs will be undertaken at this time. The City will immediately suspend parking enforcement associated with street sweeping. This policy will extend will through the end of March unless otherwise extended. It’s requested that residents and visitors continue moving their cars to accommodate sweeping if physically able to do so in the interest of maintaining the health and cleanliness of City streets to the extent possible.
The City is encouraging residents to educate themselves about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), including how to protect themselves and their families, by reviewing the City webpage devoted to the topic. The webpage is regularly updated with the latest information about the virus. San Diego County Public Health Department remains the lead agency locally. Links to their website and many others at the local, state and federal levels can be found on the city’s website. Information is also being regularly provided to 211. Residents are encouraged to call 211 for information.
