Ontario is Aggressive in Efforts Taken to Stop the Spread of COVID-19 Outbreak
 On March 14, the City of Ontario declared a local state of emergency in preparation for the potential local spread of COVID-19. The City of Ontario was among the first in San Bernardino County to declare a local state of emergency which implemented a comprehensive emergency response plan to minimize the risk of exposure, anticipate potential vulnerabilities and act quickly and responsibly to any new developments.
The very next day on March 15, San Bernardino County reported its first case. On March 25, the City of Ontario filed a public records request with the County of San Bernardino for information on where confirmed coronavirus cases were occurring. The County of San Bernardino had only been releasing countywide data which put Ontario and other cities at a disadvantage when it comes to keeping their own communities informed and safe. The request sought the identification of local jurisdictions in which cases have been reported. Mayor Paul Leon made clear that “knowledge is protection.”
City Manager, Scott Ochoa, indicated transparency with our residents was paramount, stating that unless the County can confirm that COVID-19 is impacting their community directly, people are apt to lessen their adherence to the State’s stay-at-home orders – especially when neighboring counties were releasing such information.
On Monday, March 30, less than a week after Ontario filed a public records request with the County, County officials reported 111 confirmed cases – five of which were in Ontario. That number for Ontario has more than tripled during the first days of April and will continue to grow. A week later, San Bernardino County is now reporting 372 confirmed cases.
Mayor Paul Leon stated, “this is not a cause for panic or alarm, but to step up in an even bigger way. The actions all of us are taking today will determine how quickly we get through this.” He further stated that having local data underscores the need for the City and its residents to redouble the efforts in practicing social distancing and safe health habits to stop the spread of COVID-19.
For day to day actions taken by the City of Ontario, please visit: www.OntarioCA.gov/Coronavirus
A Message from Your Police Chief and Fire Chief
The Ontario Police and Fire Departments are actively monitoring the reports of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and considering how COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases (e.g. cold and flu) will impact our City. In collaboration we are working to respond to the challenges posed by the outbreak. Our focus is the health, safety, and wellbeing of our community and staff.
Since the spread of COVID-19, both your Fire and Police Departments have taken appropriate steps to ensure the delivery of emergency services promptly and safely. As your Chiefs, we have taken steps to protect our police officers, firefighters and paramedics to ensure the safety of those we serve. For the most part, residents will not notice any service changes. If you call 911, we will be there. Other steps we have taken include:
- Limiting non-essential meetings, events and trainings to ensure there are no service disruptions.
- Temporarily modifying some non-emergency services and volunteer programs. These measures are aimed at protecting all by minimizing the possibility of human to human transmission of the virus. All emergency services remain in place.
- We are asking members of the community to restrict visiting Police and Fire facilities unless absolutely necessary.
- We encourage non-emergency police reports be completed online: OntarioCA.gov/Police/Reporting
- You may see members of the Fire and Police Department wearing personal protective equipment such as gloves and masks for their own protection.
All emergency services are fully functional. The situation is fluid and dynamic, as the information from health authorities’ changes, so too will our approach. If you have any questions related to the City of Ontario and its handling of COVID-19, please call our Hotline located in our Emergency Operations Center at (909) 988-3650.
As these situations may cause stress and anxiety, we want to personally guarantee our community that your Police and Fire Departments are doing everything they can to help mitigate the situation. We want to thank everyone for your patience and understanding.
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A Message from Ontario Municipal Utilities Company and the Public Works Agency
 The safety and well-being of our staff and our community is our highest priority. In response to evolving information of the spread of COVID-19, Ontario Public Works & OMUC is implementing decisive measures to help prevent the spread of the virus and to protect the health and safety of all. The City of Ontario is operating to provide essential services in compliance with the stay at home recommendations.
Essential Ontario Public Works & OMUC services include providing clean, safe drinking water; assuring safe public sewer systems and treatment; picking up trash; keeping streets and signals functioning properly for safe transportation; and supporting public safety in emergencies. During this time, Utility Services representatives are continuing to provide core assistance with payments and billing. On March 18, the City of Ontario suspended utility shut-offs, penalties and late-fees. Should you need further assistance, please call (909) 395-2050.
Your City’s utility agency, OMUC, would like to also assure the community that the water remains safe to drink and meets all water quality standards set by regulatory agencies. COVID-19 has no impact on the quality or supply of your tap water. OMUC uses conventional water treatment methods to ensure customers receive safe and reliable water. The treatment process physically removes, disinfects and/or chemically inactivates viruses, bacteria and other micro-organisms. Your water is detailed in the Water Quality Report, and can be found here.
Please help us and protect your neighborhoods. Practicing good hygiene and keeping surfaces clean is essential now more than ever. BUT, if you are using baby wipes, disinfectant wipes, paper towels or anything that isn’t actual toilet paper, they must go directly into the trash when you’re done. Even if a product says ‘flushable’ on the label, don't do it.
Only toilet paper is designed to break down in the wastewater system. Wipes and other products clog pipes and pumps as well as increase maintenance needs and can lead to sewer backups and other environmental and health concerns.
With consumers buying up products as alternatives to toilet paper, your Ontario Utility and Public Works Department, along with other wastewater treatment providers around the country, are bracing for the potential major sewage blockages and possible overflows that could follow. Please help avoid problems here by heeding this warning now and share this message with friends and family. If it's not toilet paper, put it in the trash, not the toilet.
The City of Ontario will continue to pick up your trash as scheduled. Residents are being encouraged to put all hygiene, disinfectant and medical items, such as gloves and wipes in bags prior to being thrown in the trash. Recycling, however, should never be put into plastic bags. Clean, dry and empty recyclables should go directly into the appropriate recycle cart.
For further information on your trash pick-ups, recycling or hazardous waste, please call (909) 395-2600.
FREE Virtual Resource Center Brought to You by Ontario Community Life & Culture
 Check out the City of Ontario’s Virtual Community Life & Culture Resource Center! We have stepped up and brought you videos and activities to keep you active. We are committed to ensuring that our resilient community members have resources to maintain healthy lives, grow meaningful relationships and continue to have extraordinary experiences during these times of social distancing.
New video content has been uploaded for your virtual enjoyment:
- ZumUp
- Fitness videos for all ages
- Kid friendly videos
- Indoor activities
- Games for kids
NEW Digital Library Card!
If you don’t have a library card and would like access to our e-books and other e-resources, you can get a digital card through the library’s catalog webpage. You may check out up to 25 items at a time! Create a new account here.
If you need help, call the Library at (909) 395-2004 Monday – Friday from 9 AM - 5 PM.
CloudLibrary
During this time of social distancing, it's a great time to curl up with a book. CloudLibrary is a great way to get your reading fix without leaving the house and it's absolutely free with your library card. Find the step-by-step process here and download the CloudLibrary APP on your device.
Take a Virtual Vacation!
Explore the world using Google Earth. Use Street View to see places like you’re actually there. Visit museums around the world through their Virtual Tours. Visit the Aquarium of the Pacific and engage with their exhibits virtually. Check out all of these live animal cameras on Explore.org! How about Hogwarts Virtual Escape Room - take a trip to Hogwarts and test your virtual escape room skills!
Arts & Craft Activities
Turn your home into an Art Studio with these helpful links to Daily Doodle with Mo Willems and Doodle Art Alley. Get ideas, templates and print outs. Disney Family Printables has printable coloring pages, mazes, games, and activities for every age and occasion.
Find everything and more at the City of Ontario’s Virtual Community Life & Culture Resource Center!
myOntario App
Did you know that you can report issues using the MyOntario App?
Discover your city and easily report maintenance issues by downloading the FREE myOntario app from the App Store or Google Play.
You can also visit report.ontarioca.gov/ to report an issue in the City.
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Helpful Links for Residents Impacted by COVID-19
Laws Protecting Employees
The California Labor Commissioner’s Office Help Site for COVID-19 related issues can be found here.
- If an employee exhausts sick leave, can other paid leave be used?
- Can an employer require a worker who is quarantined to exhaust paid sick leave?
- What options do I have if my child's school or day care closes for reasons related to COVID-19?
Find the answers to these questions and more at the California Labor Commissioner’s Office.
Grocery & Retail Store Times
During this time, local Grocery Stores & Retail hours may have shortened, or have offered Senior hours. Visit Ontarioca.gov/CoronaVirus and click on the dropdown "Grocery & Retail Store Times"
Children Meal Programs
OMSD’s Family and Collaborative Services website includes food and employment resources. The California Department of Education’s (CDE) “CA Meals for Kids” mobile app has been updated to help students and families find meals during COVID-19-related emergency school closures. The app is available for free download.
Filing for Unemployment
Simply go to the State of California Employment Development Department (EDD). There are many third-party sites that advertise they can help you file for unemployment. There is no real need to use third party websites. Click here to apply.
Housing & Critical Services
Housing and Critical Services have been protected on the State and Local level. As to mortgages, a 90-day grace period for payments have been offered by some financial institutions. The mortgage payment forbearance of up to 90 days are for borrowers economically impacted by COVID-19. Contact your lender to see if applicable to you.
The City of Ontario Housing and Neighborhood Preservation Agency partners with the Inland Fair Housing and Mediation Board and encourages anyone with issues regarding your housing rights to contact them.
Eviction moratorium - the Council will be considering a report on this issue at our regular April 7th meeting. If approved, this urgency ordinance would go into effect immediately. Please follow our Coronavirus website and social media platforms for updates on that issue.
For more information related to COVID -19, go to www.OntarioCA.gov/Coronavirus.
California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
DMV Field Offices have been closed. Although online services and a new virtual field office will be established in the coming days, actual physical DMV field offices closed effective March 27, 2020. The formal announcement can be found here.
Certain waivers and extensions have been made. For additional information please review the Governor’s announcement here.
Southern California Edison
During this challenging time, we know you’re counting on your power. Our team is dedicated to your safety and service. You will continue to see our crews working 24/7 to keep your electricity flowing and respond quickly to your customer service needs. For additional information or assistance, please click here.
Southern California Gas
Please go to www.SoCalGas.com/Coronavirus for information related to service, payments, discounts and updated news. No customer will have their natural gas turned off due to non-payment.
Student Loans Administrative Forbearance
On March 27, 2020 President Trump signed the CARES Act which, among other things, granted relief for federal student loan borrowers. Loans will be placed in an administrative forbearance, which allows students to temporarily stop making monthly payments. Loan payments will automatically stop from March 13, 2020 through September 30, 2020. Similarly, interest rates during this period will be set at 0%. However, borrowers can still choose to make the payments. To learn more, please visit the Student Aid website.
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