News from: City of Oakland
Office of the City Administrator
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 13, 2020
Update re: COVID-19 & City Closures – Some City facilities to close, public safety not affected
Oakland, CA – With the health and well-being of Oakland residents in mind, the City Administrator’s Office has announced the temporary closure of specific City facilities and programming. This decision is a result of the most recent guidance for mass gatherings from the Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPH), meant to reduce community transmission, decrease the introduction of COVID-19 into new communities, and slow and decrease the spread of the virus. These recommendations have been updated to align with guidance issued by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) on March 12, 2020 and replace ACPH’s local guidance issued on March 10, 2020.
“We are in unprecedented times, and it will take all of us to guide our operations, serve the public and come together as a community to weather this storm,” Interim City Administrator Steven Falk said. “As we make decisions over the next days and weeks, we will choose options that maximize employee and public safety and save lives. There will undoubtedly be uncomfortable trade-offs ahead.”
“The health and well-being of Oakland’s residents and employees is our first priority,” Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf said. “We understand the closures will impact many people’s lives in Oakland and particularly hard-working families who will be challenged to provide childcare and maintain work schedules. We will continue to work with our county, state, and federal partners to create new measures of relief to assist all residents during this time. I ask all Oaklanders to do what we do best: Unite, help one another, and move through this moment with resilience and grace.”
Oakland Police, Fire and other emergency public safety services will not be affected during this time. The facilities listed below will be closed as of Monday, March 16 until further notice.
Specific Service Closures:
- All library locations will be closed.
- All Recreation Centers will be closed. All permitted activities, including facility rentals, are cancelled. Our staff will inform individuals with current reservations and registrations. Should you have any questions, please contact the Central Reservation Unit at (510) 238-3420.
- All Senior Centers will be closed.
- All Head Start and Early Head Start program sites will be closed.
- Oakland Fire Prevention Bureau customer front counter
Note: the Oakland Public Library will extend loan periods during this time, and patrons do not need to return materials until OPL is back in full operation.
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