LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
FPLG COVID-19 RESPONSE
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
[UPDATE: November 14, 2020]
After wavering on the brink after many weeks, San Diego County has just moved from Tier 3 (“red”) back to Tier 4 (“purple”) effective November 14, 2020. In accordance with this designation, the County of San Diego’s public-health officer issued a new, more restrictive order. [Update: 11/16/20]: Gov. Newsom “pulled the emergency brake” on reopenings statewide, effective 11/17; see STATE OF CALIFORNIA page.
[UPDATE: September 3, 2020]
Over the summer, it became clear that earlier reopenings were too much, too soon, causing some unfortunate spikes in the pandemic. As a result, there were certain rollbacks from the reopenings.
The County has now begun to issue orders in accordance with the newly revised statewide 4-tier system that went into effect in late August. San Diego County began this new phase in phase 3, “red,” which is the third most restrictive category. Most of California has begun in the phase 4, “purple” tier. See CA Blueprint for a Safe Economy.
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[UPDATE: May 21, 2020]
Gov. Gavin Newsom has just announced more progress in easing some of the statewide Stage 2 phase of the COVID-19 orders that began in early May. Certain rural counties were given permission at that time to reopen some activities.
The May 18th state orders allow other areas to open up a bit and to submit plans for approval. San Diego County submitted a plan on May 19th, that was approved by California on May 20th.
This is a rapidly developing – and complex – story that we’ll update frequently.
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[April 1, 2020]
“This is an extraordinary time for the rule of law, when all citizens must keep advised of rapidly changing and electronically disseminated pronouncements affecting how they live and work.”
In addition to laws and rules from the federal and state governments, every person or entity in a local area must pay careful attention to their city and county authorities who have some say about matters including personal restrictions as well as special benefits like moratoria from evictions. There are also special funds available at the local level.
A fundamental challenge, though, is determining which of several overlapping rules may apply. There are no easy answers at this time.
According to the County Public Health Officer, Dr. Wilma Wooten, “[t]he key to decreasing cases is wearing a mask, maintaining social distance, avoiding gatherings and following other public health recommendations. We understand that people have COVID fatigue, but we have to do what we know works.”
— Jose A. Alvarez (11/10/20)
…[T]he [San Diego] County Containment Plan includes mandatory protective measures for hygiene and sanitation, social distancing, face coverings, and screening at workplaces and public places. The Plan also incorporates the County T3 Strategy to decrease COVID-19 morbidity and mortality through testing, tracing, and treatment (including isolation). This strategy promotes “accessible COVID-19 testing for everyone.”
— Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H. San Diego County Public Health Officer, (5/19/20)
San Diego County officials will try to make a case to the governor that the coronavirus outbreak has been contained enough locally to allow more businesses to reopen under a pilot plan.
— Gary Warth, San Diego U-T (5/19/20)
[I]n Los Angeles County — the center of coronavirus cases in California, with more than 1,900 deaths — officials have long said reopening the economy will be more difficult than in other parts of the state less hard hit. The idea is to avoid a reopening that occurs too quickly and causes more outbreaks.
— Colleen Shalby et al, The Los Angeles Times (5/19/20)
REFERENCES & RESOURCES
- Newsom: State ‘Pulling Emergency Brake’ on Virus Reopenings (November 16, 2020) NBC
- Coronavirus in San Diego County (Updated daily) County of San Diego COVID-19 website
- Order of the Health Officer and Emergency Regulations (Effective November 14, 2020)
- City of San Diego Covid-19 Website (Updated frequently)
- County Moves to Purple Tier; Restrictions to Start Nov. 14 (November 10, 2020) Jose A. Alvarez, County of San Diego Communications Office
- Why COVID-19 is surging in California and the Bay Area (November 13, 2020) Amy Graff, San Francisco Gate
- San Diego County Shifts to Most Restrictive Purple Tier (November 10, 2020) NBC San Diego
- L.A. City and County COVID-19 Weekly Update – CA Health and Government COVID-19 Guidance: Week in Review – October 2020 #3 (October 22, 2020) Jacob Itzkowitz, Esq. et al, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips
- Bay Area COVID-19 Regulations Tracker-UPDATED October 2020 # 2 (October 21, 2020) Jessica Huang, Esq., et al, Fox Rothschild LLP
- 2020—The Hits Keep Coming: Sacramento County’s New Sick Leave (October 21, 2020) Scott Mallery, Esq., et al, Seyfarth Shaw LLP
- Order of the Health Officer and Emergency Regulations (September 10, 2020) County of San Diego, Public Health Officer Order
- The City Of San Diego Passes Supplemental Paid Sick Leave (September 11, 2020) Kelly Gemelli, Esq., Jackson Lewis PC
- COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO COVID-19 Variance Attestation: Proposal for Accelerated Implementation of California’s Roadmap to Modify the Stay-At-Home Order May 19, 2020 [Note: approved by CA on 5/20/20]
- L.A. County aims to reopen by July 4, but must rely on data and science, official warns (May 19, 2020) Colleen Shalby, Rong-Gong Lin II & Sarah Parvini, The Los Angeles Times
- County OKs in-person dining, retail; asks governor to approve pilot program (May 19, 2020) Charles T. Clark, The San Diego Union-Tribune
- County Board of Supervisors expected to vote on pilot program (May 19, 2020) Gary Warth, The San Diego Union-Tribune
- Coronavirus Information, (Daily Updates) San Diego County Health & Human Services
- Coronavirus Updates (Daily Updates), KPBS Live Blog
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Mayor Faulconer To Announce San Diego’s Reopening Plan Tuesday (May 4, 2020) Marissa Cabrera & Maureen Cavanaugh, KPBS
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A pivotal week for California reopening, as communities and businesses revolt against Newsom (May 4, 2020) Alex Wigglesworth, Rong-Gong Lin II & Colleen Shalby, The Los Angeles Times
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Coronavirus Disease 2019, (Daily Updates) San Diego County
- Stay home except for essential needs (updated April 26, 2020) County of San Diego
- Why County Officials Aren’t Very Excited About $334M From the CARES Act (April 24, 2020) Ashly McGlone,Voice of San Diego
- City Website Overwhelmed By Small Businesses Seeking Coronavirus Relief Funding
(March 30, 2020) Andrew Bowen, KPBS
California State and Local COVID-19 Orders (March 22, 2020) Robert A. James, Esq., et al., Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
- Mayor Faulconer Declares State of Emergency in San Diego (March 12, 2020) Rafael Avitabile et al, NBC San Diego
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Funders Must Step Up – Right Now!
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Small Business Association Disaster Loan Guidance and Resources
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