Shelter in Place Order for Alameda County
 STATE MOVES ALAMEDA COUNTY TO PURPLE TIER
Due to very rapid and widespread increases in COVID-19 cases, the California Department of Public Health has modified its Blueprint for a Safer Economy to allow for a faster, more nimble response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Rather than using data from two weeks ago and moving only one tier at a time, the State is now using data from the past week and moving counties multiple tiers if necessary. These significant changes allow for a timelier response that will protect our communities, save lives, and keep our health care systems from becoming overwhelmed.
Like other Bay Area counties, the Alameda County COVID-19 case rate continues to increase daily and hospitalizations are also on the rise. Today, the State placed Alameda County – along with 40 other counties – in the Purple Tier, the most restrictive level in the state's reopening framework. The State took this action in response to local and statewide increases in the daily COVID-19 case rates.
What this means for Alameda County Businesses and Residents:
- Effective at 12:01 a.m. on November 18, all activities and sectors must conform to the State’s requirements for counties in the Purple Tier.
- Per the State’s requirements, any activity that was only permitted in the Red or Orange Tier will need to close, effective November 18. A list is available on the California Department of Public Health website.
- Alameda County will provide additional guidance to local restaurants in the coming days on how to continue operating outdoors safely as the weather changes. Current guidance is available here: https://covid-19.acgov.org/recovery
- Any school that currently has students attending classes in person may continue to do so. Effective November 18 no additional schools may open for in-person instruction, and Alameda County is not offering a waiver process for elementary schools. Schools that are not open are encouraged to utilize the State’s school-based small cohort guidance (State’s FAQ). Alameda County Health Care Services Agency in partnership with the Alameda County Office of Education will continue to support local schools with guidance and technical expertise.
- As the situation develops, we may need to further restrict activities to slow the spread of the virus.
Since Alameda County joined other Bay Area Counties to implement the first COVID-19 Shelter-in-Place Order in March, we have moved cautiously with our reopening and continued seeking opportunities to keep activities open once they were permitted. While this approach has served us well, the most recent wave of new infections in Alameda County and across the state appear to be growing even faster than what we experienced in the summer.
We must take steps now to limit opportunities for people to mix and gather, especially indoors without masks, to avoid overwhelming our health care system, limit severe disease and death due to COVID-19, and protect frontline workers and medically vulnerable residents.
Prior experiences with surges in the Bay Area and around the world have demonstrated that limiting activities and gatherings, along with wearing face coverings, can flatten the curve. Acting quickly and aggressively will help us save lives. The Local Health Officer may act to restrict activities more than the State’s requirements in order to respond to local disease conditions and protect public health.
There is no question that this has been an incredibly difficult year, but a concerted effort now will help us minimize risk to our residents during this wave of the pandemic. We know what drives the spread of COVID-19: mixing with people from other households, especially indoors and without masks. To prevent further spread of COVID-19, avoid gathering with people you don’t live with, limit activities, wear face coverings whenever you leave home, stay home when ill, and keep interactions with others outdoors. We thank Alameda County residents and businesses for their support and efforts – we all need to work together to keep each other healthy.
READ THE FULL PRESS RELEASE
__________
Please check back on the Alameda County Public Health Department's dedicated COVID-10 website for updates and clarifications: acphd.org/2019-ncov.aspx
For general inquiries, please email ncov@acgov.org or call (510) 268-2101.
If you would like to report a "non-essential" business operating during the Shelter-in-Place Order, please email COVID19compliance@acgov.org.
Click here for downloadable flyers and posters, available in multiple languages.
State Stay-at-Home Order
The State of California has announced a limited Stay at Home Order requiring non-essential work, movement, and gatherings stop 10:00 pm - 5:00 am, in counties in the Purple Tier (which include Alameda County) to slow the steep rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations occurring in the State.
Activities allowed after 10:00 pm include:
- Restaurants operations for take-out service
- Individuals or members of the same household may leave their residence, as long as they do not intermingle with others while out
- Picking up Take-out food or delivering food for others
- Grocery shopping or going to the pharmacy for essential needs
- Walking your dog in your own neighborhood
Activities not allowed after 10pm include:
- Dining out at a restaurant or bar
- Gatherings with people outside of your household
Alameda County urges everyone to restrict interactions with people outside of your household for non-essential activities or social gatherings. The State has posted FAQs HERE which provides more guidance on the limited stay at home order.
The order is in effect Saturday, November 21 until 5:00 am, December 21, although it may be extended or revised as needed.
District 5 COVID-19 Resource Guide
Supervisor Carson's office has put together a COVID-19 Resource Guide for District to help centralize the information and resources you need to know about the COVID-19 Pandemic. It will be updated regularly, so be sure to check back often.
https://covid19district5.wordpress.com/
The site is organized into categories so you can get connected to resources specific to you (i.e.: Testing, Financial Help, Food Assistance, Faith Community, Seniors, etc)
Staying Safe from COVID During the Holidays
Bay Area Health Officers have issued joint recommendations for staying safe during the holidays. The recommendations cover gatherings and travel, with recommended steps to reduce risk.
The risk of spreading COVID-19 goes up when we gather with people we don’t live with and that means the holidays will be different for all of us this year . Alameda County residents can help ensure the holiday season doesn’t lead to a wave of new cases by celebrating safely and taking the right steps to protect themselves and loved ones from this highly contagious virus. - Dr. Nicholas Moss, Alameda County Interim Health Officer
While gatherings are strongly discouraged, the joint recommendations advise the public that if you do gather in person, keep it small, short, stable, and outdoors. Also, nonessential travel, including holiday travel, is not recommended. Travel outside the Bay Area will increase your chance of getting infected and spreading the virus to others after your return. For those who are traveling, there are tips to help avoid catching COVID-19 or spreading it to fellow travelers. If you travel outside the Bay Area, it is strongly recommended that you self-quarantine for 14 days after your return if your activities while travelling put you at higher risk of getting COVID-19.
READ THE RECOMMENDATIONS
Face Coverings Required at All Times
Face coverings must be worn at all times by all members of the public, including outdoors while engaged in physical activities (walking, running, biking, etc.) and within 30 feet of people outside of their household.
Children aged 12 and younger are not required to wear a face covering, and any child two years old or younger should not wear a face covering. The County Order does not apply if a person is only with members of their own household and does not expect to come into contact with a member of the public. A person engaged in walking, hiking, bicycling, running, and other physical activities is not required to wear a face covering during the entire duration of their activity, but that person must carry a face covering that is easy to access so they can wear it once they are within 30 feet of other people.
Click here to read the Order.
Fight the Flu - Get Vaccinated Now!
Health officials from across the Bay Area are asking the public to fight the flu by getting the annual vaccination for influenza right now.
Each winter, people sick with flu crowd hospitals and urgent care clinics, resources that may be strained due to COVID-19. Early and timely flu shots can prevent a disease that hospitalizes 200,000 Americans every year.
It is important to get a new flu vaccine each year. The flu vaccine offers protection for man months, but not forever. Also, the strains of influenza circulating in the community change over time, and the current vaccine offers protection against those strains.
To keep yourself and your family out of the hospital, doctors recommend an annual flu shot for everyone age 6 months or older. The flu shot is a safe, effective way to reduce your chance of missing work or ending up in the hospital due to severe flu. Symptoms of the flu can be similar to early symptoms of COVID-19, meaning that this year, people with flu symptoms may require a COVID-19 test and may need to stay home from work and isolate away from their families
while awaiting results.
Read the Joint Statement of Bay Area Health Officers
For more information about flu, visit https://acphd.org/flu/.
Find more locations near you that offer flu vaccine using the Vaccine Finder.
California Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response
The State of California has created a dedicated website for COVID-19. Here, you can learn about the Statewide Order to Shelter-at-Home, the latest virus statistics, state resources available for impacted individuals and businesses (including how to apply for Unemployment and State Disability), and how you can best protect yourself and your community. You can also find an extensive social media toolkit to help share vital information with your local networks.
Visit:
https://covid19.ca.gov/
Dedicated COVID-19 Websites for District 5 Cities
District 5 cities have set up their own websites with relevant information, resources, and updates regarding COVID-19. Whether you want to know about what essential services will remain open, if parking rules will be enforced, or how you can help support your neighbors and local businesses in need of assistance, be sure to check back regularly on these websites for the most up-to-date information:
City of Albany
https://bit.ly/2wDbofF
City of Berkeley
https://bit.ly/2xptQsk
City of Emeryville
https://bit.ly/2UdCDpY
City of Oakland
https://bit.ly/2JernUc
City of Piedmont
https://bit.ly/2QYmLWD
Crisis Support Services of Alameda County
If you're in Alameda County and you or someone you know needs support, Crisis Support Services of Alameda County is available to help 24/7 at 1-800-309-2131. Youth can also text the word "safe" to 20121 between 4pm-11pm daily. You do not need to be experiencing suicidal thoughts or feelings to call.
|
 The next regular Board of Supervisors meeting is on Tuesday, December 8, 2020 beginning at 11:00 AM.
Visit the Board of Supervisors' website to access the agenda: http://acgov.org/board/
While in-person participation is limited to essential personnel, the Board of Supervisors is committed to providing the public with live broadcast and remote opportunities to participate in public comment during the Shelter in Place order.
Click here for public participation guidelines.
Procedures for Board of Supervisors meetings are subject to change. Please check back on the the Board of Supervisors' website for the most up-to-date guidelines.
Alameda County Family Child Care
COVID-19 Relief Grant
First 5 Alameda County is administering CARES Act funding provided by Alameda County Social Services Agency to offer COVID-19 relief to Alameda County Licensed Family Child Care (FCC) Providers. Awards up to $5,000 for small FCCs and up to $10,000 for large FCCs will be made.
Who can apply: Open Alameda County licensed small and large family child care providers financially impacted by COVID-19. Priority will be given to subsidy serving providers. Non-subsidy serving providers will be selected from each Board of Supervisor district ensuring language diversity representation as funds allow.
Completed applications must be received by 5:00 pm on Friday, December 4, 2020.
Please note: Eligible expenses are limited to those not funded through a PPP loan or Alameda County COVID Relief Grant for small businesses.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
The City of Berkeley is accepting applications for its new COVID-19 Resiliency Loan Program (RLP) to help existing Berkeley small businesses, non-profits, and cooperatives to sustain their operations in Berkeley.
Funded by the CARES Act, and further capitalizing the City’s existing Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) program, RLP Fixed Interest Rate Loans may be used to cover business operating expenses like payroll, rent, and utilities.
Deadline to apply is December 18, 2020, 5:00 PM.
Learn more about the loan terms and submit an application CLICK HERE.
Covered California Health Insurance Enrollment
Have you lost your health insurance? Want to learn more about signing up for health insurance?
The Berkeley Public Library has partnered with UC Berkeley's California Health Professional Student Alliance (CaHPSA) for a virtual presentation on enrolling in healthcare through Covered California.
Thursday, December 3, 2020
2:00 PM
Register in advance for this meeting HERE.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Starting Out Strong
It Takes a Village Program
Virtual Boot Camp for New Dads
This program is taught by father for new dads to build confidence, and prepare dads to meet the challenges and joys of having a new baby.
Saturday, December 5, 2020
12:00 - 1:30 PM
Community Baby Shower
The community baby shower for families who are expecting a child, and not enrolled in any Alameda County Starting Out Strong programs. Free resources, gifts, diapers, and more available. Masks are required.
Saturday, December 12, 2020
12:00 - 1:30 PM
RREGISTER FOR BOTH EVENTS HERE
Level Up Your Skills Workshop Series
When the pandemic caused our economy to shut down, our community of local businesses, freelancers, and entrepreneurs had to reassess and recalibrate to a new environment of commerce. Led by consultants, leadership coaches, entrepreneurs, and fiscal managers, BWOPA has curated a business development series to help you start reimagining your success, provide templates, models and assessments for your toolbox, and provide opportunities for peer-to-peer learning.
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
6:00 - 8:00 PM
2021 Business Visioning
Wednesday, December 9, 2020
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Exploring a Business/Executive Coach
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Mastering Your Sales Presentation
Wednesday, December 16, 2020
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Managing Your Finances
One applicant will receive a certificate for business or executive coaching services during each session.
For more information or to register, CLICK HERE.
Managing Student Loan Debt
This online student debt training will cover strategies for managing student loan debt, including loan forgiveness options. We will also cover how to choose and pay for a college education for those considering going to school and how to recognize predatory student loan scams and for-profit schools.
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
10:00 - 11:30 AM
PRESENTER
Claire Torchiana
Equal Justice Works Fellow
Housing and Economic Rights Advocates
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Providers from diverse disciplines serving children 0-5 and their families. Providers who need to know how to talk with families about their rights around student loan debt and the various Alameda County resources that can support families. Providers who may have questions about their own student loans.
Register by December 6, 2020. CLICK HERE to register.
Electric Vehicles (EV) 101
Thinking about buying an electric car? Curious about the benefits of driving all-electric? Interested in clean transportation?
The Electric Vehicles (EV) 101 workshop will discuss the wide variety of vehicles on the market today, and their respective ranges.
Wednesday, December 9, 2020
5:30 – 6:30 PM
Other topics of discussion include home and public charging, available rebates and incentives, special programs for income-qualified drivers, buying and leasing opportunities, and tips for finding the right plug-in car for your lifestyle. There will be plenty of time for questions and answers at the end of the presentation.
This EV 101 workshop is open to all, whether you're ready to swap out your old vehicle for a new one, or just interested in learning more about electric vehicles in general.
Presented by Cities of Albany, Berkeley and San Francisco, 350 Bay Area and the Ecology Center.
REGISTER HERE
Women Business Owners Virtual Town Hall
Join Vikita Poindexter, National Association of Women Business Owners California (NAWBO-CA) President, and CA Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara for a virtual town hall on insurance issues for Women Business Owners during the COVID-19 pandemic emergency.
Wednesday, December 9, 2020
1:30 PM
With many businesses experiencing tremendous economic loss, it is imperative for you to have up to date information on services and resources.
Please email your questions in advance to crb@insurance.ca.gov and no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, November 30th. We will do our best to answer all emailed questions during the virtual town hall.
REGISTER HERE
FREE Disaster Preparedness Training
Join Eden I&R/211 Alameda County for a FREE Online Emergency Preparedness Training:
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
3:30 - 4:30 PM
Click here to register
This session will guide you through 4 steps you can take to prepare for emergencies or disasters, and enable you to better protect yourself, your family, and your community.
Learn actions you can take now, and how you can use what you already have to make your own emergency supply kits. Trainings are designed to be fun and interactive!
Participants will receive a FREE 4-Step to Emergency Preparedness Booklet.
Get Covered - Open Enrollment is Here!
The Open Enrollment Period for health insurance through Covered California is here! If you need coverage for 2021, now's the time to shop. Visit www.coveredca.com to get started.
Enrollment ends January 31, 2021!
Outside open enrollment, people who experience qualifying life events can apply during special enrollment. The most common change is loss of health insurance, usually due to a change in your job. Other changes include getting married, having a baby, and moving to a new area. For most qualifying life events, you have 60 days from the date on which the qualifying life event happens to enroll in a Covered California health insurance plan or change your existing plan. If you experience a qualifying life event, you can enroll at any time.
|
