In response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, the City of Redlands has declared a state of emergency in Redlands and activated its emergency operations to Level 3.
This action, if ratified by the City Council at Tuesday night’s meeting, provides the city with additional tools and options for purchasing supplies and equipment to manage the coronavirus crisis.
Additional steps taken by the city include the following closures/cancellations through the end of April:
- A.K. Smiley Public Library
- All reservations at city facilities, including parks, sports fields, Redlands Community Center, Redlands Senior Center, Joslyn Senior Center, and the Contemporary Club
- Market Night and Saturday Morning Farmer’s Market
- Downtown Art Walk
- Private gatherings of 50 or more people
The city is also recommending the closure of all bars in Redlands and that restaurants reduce their capacity by half and encourage curbside/at-home delivery services.
The Redlands Fire Department has reviewed and updated its protocols for the use of Personal Protective Equipment for all firefighter/paramedics.
The Redlands Police Department has reviewed its protocols for in-person contact with individuals reporting crime. When appropriate, officers will contact individuals via telephone or practice social distancing for in-person contact. Those wishing to file police reports are also encouraged to make use of the department’s online reporting system, available on the department’s website.
In the posted statement, Mayor Paul Foster said, “The health and well-being of all Redlands residents, employees and visitors to the city are of paramount importance to us. In preparation for a potential local outbreak, over the past few weeks, the city had already been in active communication with the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health and we will continue to respond based on the best advice of public health authorities and medical experts.”
The City Council meeting will be held and open to the public, but the Council recommends that residents who do not have business to bring before the Council view the meeting online or on Redlands TV Ch. 3 for Spectrum cable customers or Ch. 35 for Frontier cable customers. Chairs have been removed from the Council’s chambers to allow for social distancing.
This is a developing story and will be updated as new information becomes available. —Jennifer
Posted: March 17, 2020