The health and safety of the Oceanside community is paramount. Oceanside Public Safety Officials and the County of San Diego Health & Human Services Agency are working closely to monitor an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by COVID-19 and we are mobilized to respond in our region.
As of today, March 17, there are 55 confirmed cases in the County, 10 of those are hospitalized, and no deaths. There are no confirmed cases in Oceanside as of today.
We are coordinating our response needs, including a Continuity of Operations Plan for critical City services. Residents are encouraged to check the San Diego County webpage, and look for regular updates on the City of Oceanside’s website, newsletter and social media.
Based on the rapidly evolving challenges to protect public health, Oceanside proclaimed an Emergency Declaration on Monday, March 16. The emergency proclamation will be ratified by the City Council at a special meeting on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. Residents may watch from home on KOCT’s Government Channel 19 or live stream through the KOCT website.
I want to urge citizens not to panic. This 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. Working together, we will get through this crisis.
The City has activated its Emergency Operations Center at Level 3. This allows the City to take additional legal, operational, and recovery measures that may be needed to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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. City employees are working and some are re-assigned to other duties necessitated by the closures.
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 is arranging for food for seniors in need and is actively reaching out to the regular visitors of our Senior Centers. 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 Library is closed but there are many resources you can access online through the Library webpage, including e-books and media streaming.
Most Oceanside businesses remain open, but many will experience negative effects new County regulations. While we are encouraging social distancing, it’s important that we all continue to support our local businesses. I urge you to call for take-out at your favorite local restaurant. Many are offering to run your order right out to the curb.
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 or call 211.
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.
