COVID-19 UPDATES
Vaccine Eligibility Open To All Teachers, Support Staff; Food and Agriculture Workers in County
Teachers, Support Staff, Licensed Child Care Providers
On Tuesday, February 23, San Bernardino County officials announced that COVID-19 vaccine appointments are now open to all teachers, support staff and licensed child care providers in public or private institutions. If you are employed through one of these groups you can make an appointment at sbcovid19.com/vaccine or through your school district.
All teachers, school support staff, and licensed child care providers are now eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccinations in San Bernardino County. Vaccines are available to public and private school staff as well as those serving colleges and universities.
Educators and staff can now use any existing vaccine distribution site in the county by making an appointment at sbcovid19.com/vaccine for a county or state public health site, local pharmacy, grocery store, physician’s office, or hospital. Also, many schools and districts have made arrangements with local hospitals to vaccinate their employees, so teachers and support staff are encouraged to ask their employers if such arrangements have been made.
Eligibility is limited to those educators and staff who live or work in San Bernardino County. Those with appointments are reminded they do not need to arrive more than 15 minutes before your scheduled time, and proof of residency and employment is required at the time of vaccination.
Food and Agriculture Industry
On Thursday, March 4, San Bernardino County officials announced that appointments are now being accepted for food and agriculture workers. This sector includes grocery store workers, restaurant workers, farmworkers, food supply chain workers and others in support functions or adjacent fields. According to the State, 169,202 county residents (7.7% of the county population) are within this sector.
Workers in the food and agricultural industries can visit the vaccination section of the County’s COVID-19 website to see about scheduling an appointment. Eligible persons should also remember that County-run vaccination sites are not the only places to receive a vaccine, so they should check with pharmacies, state-run sites and their own doctor about vaccines.
There is no cost to received the vaccine; however, in addition to a photo ID, please bring proof of employment that verifies you are a worker in the food or agriculture industry, such as a paycheck stub, badge, W-2, or letter from your employer when arriving at your appointment. An image of your pay stub or other evidence of employment on your phone is acceptable. Also, please do not arrive more than 15 minutes prior to your appointment, and plan on the process taking up to an hour.
Food and Agriculture Industry: Eligible Worker Categories
The food and agriculture industries employ a wide variety of workers, such as those supporting groceries, pharmacies, convenience stores, animal services and other retail stores that sell food or beverage products. A partial list of those eligible during this phase include:
- Workers supporting restaurant carry-out and quick serve food operations, including food preparation, carry-out and delivery food employees
- Food manufacturing employees and their supplier employees, including those employed in food ingredient production and processing
- Farmers, farm and ranch workers, and agribusiness support services
- Employees and firms supporting food, feed, and beverage distribution and ingredients used in these products, including warehouse workers, vendor-managed inventory controllers, and block chain managers
- Workers supporting the sanitation of all food manufacturing processes and operations from wholesale to retail
- Workers supporting the growth and distribution of plants and associated products for home gardens
- Workers in cafeterias used to feed workers, particularly worker populations sheltered against COVID-19
- Workers in animal diagnostic and food testing laboratories
- Government and non-governmental organizations whose workers are essential for food assistance programs
- Employees of companies engaged in the production, storage, transport, and distribution of chemicals, medicines (including cannabis), vaccines, and other substances used by the food and agriculture industry
- Animal agriculture workers to include those employed in veterinary health, and those raising and processing animals for food
- Those engaged in transportation supporting animal agricultural industries
- Employees engaged in the manufacture and maintenance of equipment and other infrastructure necessary to agricultural production and distribution
- Workers at animal care facilities that provide food, shelter, veterinary and/or routine care and other necessities of life for animals
Seniors over age 65 can find open appointment times
In recent weeks the County has made great strides in vaccinating our senior population, and vaccination appointments that were once scarce are now available at many places for the same day. The County continues to urge seniors 65 and over to get vaccinated.
The County is also taking additional steps to assist seniors trying to schedule vaccination appointments with extended hours for its vaccination hotline (909-387-3911) and added staff to handle calls.
Frontline health care workers, law enforcement officers, and firefighters are also eligible for vaccinations. The State will eventually provide direction and enough vaccines to open eligibility to other sectors of the county population.
 Ontario Convention Center Vaccination Site
The Ontario Convention Center is open as a vaccination site Monday through Saturday, from 10 AM to 6 PM. To make an appointment for yourself or a loved one 65 and older, visit sbcovid19.com/vaccine/locations.
Be sure to check out appointment availability across all four vaccine registration options. We encourage you to sign up for notifications here and check back daily regarding availability.
Individuals having trouble with online registration can call the county’s information hotline at (909) 387-3911 from 9 AM to 8 PM, Monday through Friday.
County residents are encouraged to visit the county’s vaccination web pages often for updated information on vaccine availability and dispensing locations.
City Council Reopens All City Parks
 The Ontario City Council is proud to announce that all City parks and recreational facilities are open effective immediately.
As you recall, on March 23, 2020, Governor Newsom ordered all playgrounds, public restrooms and outdoor workout equipment to be closed to the public to ensure that families were practicing social distancing and minimizing the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
With the new state guidance in place, playgrounds and outdoor recreation are allowed to be open again. We understand it has been tough a year and appreciate everyone’s patience while adhering to the COVID-19 safety protocols.
If you would like to make a reservation for any of our fields or picnic shelters, please call (909) 395-2020. For other information about the parks and recreational facilities throughout the City of Ontario, visit OntarioCA.gov/Parks.
Recreation & Parks Master Plan Community Workshop
 The City of Ontario Recreation and Parks Master Plan is a comprehensive planning effort that will provide a vision for the Recreation & Community Services Department for the next decade.
Community members are welcomed to join the workshop on Thursday, March 18 at 5:30 PM. Learn about the Plan and how you can help shape the City's recreation and parks future. Click here to join or watch on Zoom.
To learn more about the Recreation & Parks Master Plan, please visit OntarioCA.gov/RecreationMasterPlan or contact the Recreation & Community Services Department at (909) 395-2020.
March City Council Meetings
Meetings are currently being conducted via teleconference to limit in-person attendance. Meetings will be broadcasted LIVE on local cable Channel 3 as well as streamed LIVE on Ontario TV (link below.)
Next March Meeting Date:
Tuesday, March 16 at 6:30 PM
For instructions on providing Public Comment, viewing the agenda, or watch past meetings, click here.
Virtual State of the City
This year's State of the City looks a little different. Although we are not able to host an in-person event as we have done in previous years, the Mayor and City Council invite you to join us virtually on Wednesday, March 24 at 6 PM as we reflect on the last year and provide a look ahead.
For more information, please visit OntarioCA.gov/SOC
Free Mulch Giveaway
 The next FREE Mulch Giveaway is March 26 and 27. This event is for Ontario residents only. We encourage you to arrive early for this event, as the mulch is first come first serve. Please bring your own containers for mulch. For more information, contact the Ontario Parks & Maintenance Department at (909) 395-2633.
Friday, March 26
John Galvin Park • 1072 N. Grove Avenue
7 AM - 1 PM
Saturday, March 27
Ontario City Yard • 1440 S. Cucamonga Avenue
7 AM - 1 PM
Don't Forget to Spring Forward!
 Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 14, 2021, at 2:00 AM. On Saturday evening (March 13), our clocks need to “spring forward” one hour.
Also, take the time to change the batteries in life saving devices like smoke detectors and carbon monoxide monitors. To learn more about being ready for emergencies, visit OntarioCA.gov/ReadyOntario.
Honoring Ontario Residents Actively Serving in the United States Armed Forces
 The Ontario Military Banner Program was first launched and maintained by the Ontario Business Council. It was established to honor and recognize active duty military personnel that reside in, or have immediate family living in the City of Ontario. The City is proud to carry on the program and honor those who are serving in our military.
The City of Ontario is currently seeking the names of military personnel who are currently serving on active duty in the United States Armed Forces. Names that are submitted to the City of Ontario will be considered for placement on street banners displayed throughout the City.
For more information, please visit OntarioCA.gov/MilitaryBanners
Ontario City Library locations are open
 Ontario City Library locations are open. In-person browsing, checkout, computer use, and Lightspeed visits are available by appointment at both locations. Workforce Development and Veterans Resource Center are available by appointment at Ovitt Family Community Library. The contactless service, Check Out, Ontario! is also available for material pick up, printing and copy services. For more information, please visit OntarioCA.gov/Library.
Virtual Center - New Videos Every Week!
 Have you visited the Ontario Community Life & Culture's Virtual Center recently?
Over 500 videos have been uploaded over the past year and it is updated each week with new content.
Check it out now! To access these and other videos, visit OntarioCA.gov/VirtualCenter.
Temporary Closure of Dog Parks
 Due to turf renovations, the James R. Bryant Dog Park will be temporarily closed from February 16, 2021 - March 15, 2021; and the Whispering Lakes Dog Park will be temporarily closed from March 15, 2021 - April 15, 2021. The Schimmel Dog Park will not be impacted.
Helpful City of Ontario Website Links
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