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A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF STOCKTON ENACTING A TEMPORARY RESRICTION ON THE OPERATION OF MOVIE THEATERS AND ENTERTAINTMENT VENUES; BOWLING ALLEYS AND ARCADES; AND GYMS AND FITNESS CENTERS; AS WELL AS LIMITING RESTAURANTS; DELIS; AND OTHER FOOD VENUES TO DELIVERY, TAKEOUT OR DRIVE-THRU
recommended action
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution enacting a temporary restriction on the operation of movie theaters and entertainment venues; bowling alleys and arcades; and gyms and fitness centers; as well as limiting restaurants, delis, and other food venues to delivery, takeout, or drive-thru, through March 31, 2020.
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Summary
The temporary restriction follows Federal, State, and County guidelines, announcements, and orders aimed at slowing the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Limiting spread helps preserve our health system resources for the most critical cases, and therefore can help save lives, especially the lives of residents most at-risk - those 65 and over and those with chronic conditions.
The temporary restriction, which would run through March 31, 2020, would thereafter expire unless extended by resolution.
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DISCUSSION
Background
On March 4, 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a State of Emergency to make additional resources available, formalize emergency actions already underway across multiple state agencies and departments, and help the state prepare for a broader spread of COVID-19.
On March 12, 2020, the County of San Joaquin (“County”) declared a public health emergency. The County has reported that there are now nine (9) confirmed cases of COVID -19 within the County.
On March 12, 2020, due to an escalating increase in the number of cases in San Joaquin County, under Stockton Municipal Code section 2.82.060, City Manager Harry Black signed a Proclamation of the Existence of a Local Emergency, which determines the legal, operational, and recovery resources available for the City to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
On March 13, 2020, the County issued guidance for mass gatherings, which encourages the postponement or cancellation of gatherings of 250 people or more and recommends that all non-essential smaller gatherings be cancelled or postponed.
These recommendations may be interpreted to also recommend that persons at higher risk of severe illness should stay home and away from crowded social gatherings of people as much as possible such as parades, conferences, sporting events, and concerts where large numbers of people are within arm’s length of one another.
Present Situation
On March 15, Governor Newsom announced new directives that all bars, wineries, nightclubs, and brewpubs across the state close, as well as that restaurants cut capacity, and that seniors 65 and over or those with chronic health conditions isolate at home.
On March 16, six Bay Area counties issued a shelter-in-place order to further contain the spread. Thereafter, the City of Los Angeles directed the closure of nightclubs, entertainment venues, and gyms, as well as limiting restaurants to takeout and delivery, through at least the end of March. Several other cities have instituted or are instituting similar measures.
Last night, President Trump also held a press conference to recommend stricter new national guidelines, limiting gatherings to groups of no more than 10 people.
Collectively, local adoption of these measures will help slow the spread of the virus by limiting exposure.