The City of Oakland is partnering with Alameda County—the lead public health agency—to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among unsheltered residents. To assist all unsheltered residents throughout the County, and specifically in Oakland, the City and County have partnered to accomplish the following:
- Deployed an additional 42 portable toilets and wash stations to 19 new encampments, bringing the total number of encampments that receive health and hygiene services to 39.
- Outreach teams are distributing 2,300 units of personal hand sanitizers, along with hygiene packets and informational handouts from the CDC, to individuals residing in curbside communities;
- Increased hygiene services to Oakland’s Community Cabin and RV Safe Parking sites;
- Prioritized garbage pick-up service at encampments throughout the city;
- Increased cleaning and supplies at indoor shelters.
Additionally, the City and County are reviewing options to find locations if unsheltered individuals need to self-quarantine. The City and County will continue to collaborate closely on this effort.
Barring any imminent public safety or public health risk, the City will make every effort to refrain from scheduling encampment closures until the COVID-19 pandemic no longer poses a public health threat.