COVID-19 Update: Latest County Re-openings, Halloween Activities & Voting Information

City of San Ramon sent this bulletin at 10/29/2020 01:14 PM PDT

Dear San Ramon Community,

This week, Contra Costa County advanced from the red (substantial) tier into the orange (moderate) tier in the State of California's Blueprint for a Safer Economy, allowing additional businesses and activities to reopen with modifications.

Contra Costa County Health Services continues to offer free flu shots at County-run COVID-19 test sites, along with free pop-up flu clinics during the month of October.

The City of San Ramon is hosting several Halloween activities, including a scarecrow scavenger hunt in Central Park, Halloween home decorating and virtual costume contests, and a drive-through Senior Sweets and Treats resource fair on Friday, October 30 at the Alcosta Senior and Community Center. Plus, new Halloween geo-caching missions are available at Forest Home Farms via the Agents of Discovery app.

Early Regional Voting Sites open this Friday, October 30, and polling places will be open on Tuesday, November 3. Secure ballot drop boxes remain open through Tuesday, November 3.

Below are the latest updates for the San Ramon community.

Contra Costa County Advances to Orange Tier in California Blueprint

This week, Contra Costa County advanced from the red (substantial) tier into the orange (moderate) tier in the State of California's Blueprint for a Safer Economy allowing, additional businesses and activities to reopen with modifications:

  • Worship services and other cultural activities indoors at 50% occupancy or 200 people, whichever is fewer
  • Indoor dining at 50% occupancy or 200 people, whichever is fewer
  • Indoor swimming pools
  • Bars and other businesses that sell alcohol without meals to open for outdoor operation
  • Family entertainment centers to open indoors for “naturally distanced” activities, such as bowling alleys, escape rooms and climbing-wall gyms, at 25% occupancy
  • Card rooms to open indoors at 25% occupancy
  • Small amusement parks to open at 25% of occupancy or 500 people, whichever is fewer
  • Professional sports venues to open at 20% occupancy
  • Live musical, theatrical, and other artistic performances are permitted outdoors with no more than 50 people in attendance, following State guidance and subject to local health officer approval

Health officials encourage residents to continue following the state health guidance for physical distancing and use face coverings, to keep everyone safe and healthy during the holiday season and to avoid a return to the red tier.

> Read the Press Release from Contra Costa County

> View an updated list of Contra Costa Openings at a Glance

> View the State of California’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy

> View the State of California’s Industry Guidance for Reopening

 

Reminder: Free Flu Vaccines Available at County COVID-19 Testing Sites and 1-Day Clinics

Contra Costa County Health Services continues to offer free flu shots to people who come in for COVID-19 testing at several testing sites in Contra Costa County, including the drive-through site in San Ramon.

Throughout the month of October, CCHS is also offering a series of free one-day flu vaccination clinics.

> Read the Press Release from Contra Costa Health Services

> View a list of COVID-19 Testing Sites Offering Free Flu Vaccines

> Learn more about Flu Vaccines and View Locations of One-Day Vaccination Clinics

 

Halloween Activities for the City of San Ramon

Throughout the month of October, the City of San Ramon invites you to participate in several spooktacular contests: send us photos of your Halloween and harvest houses or your faBOOlous costumes to enter virtual competitions, and download the Goosechase app to take part in a Scarecrow Scavenger Hunt in Central Park!

The geo-caching scavenger hunt at Forest Home Farms Historic Park has also been updated to include new Halloween activities—just download the Agents of Discovery app to participate!

San Ramon’s first drive-through Senior Sweets & Treats Resource Fair takes place this Friday, October 30, from 1–4 p.m. at the Alcosta Senior and Community Center. From a safe distance, staff will deliver a treat bag full of resources and information and a sweet treat just for Seniors. Face masks and face shields will also be given out, while supplies last. Also, Contra Costa County will offer a free drive-through flu shot clinic on site, no appointment needed. Don’t forget to wear your mask—we will be wearing ours too!

Last Friday's Virtual Mayor's Breakfast, hosted by San Ramon Mayor Bill Clarkson, features an overview of local Halloween activities organized by the City of San Ramon, in a presentation by Parks and Community Services Director Kathi Heimann. To learn more about each of the activities, watch the recording on the City's YouTube channel.

> View Halloween Activities for San Ramon

> Watch Friday's Virtual Mayor's Breakfast on YouTube

> Download the Goosechase App in the Apple App Store

> Download the Goosechase App in the Google Play Store

> Download the Agents of Discovery App in the Apple App Store

> Download the Agents of Discovery App in the Google Play Store

> View Visitor Information for Forest Home Farms

 

Voting Information for Oct 29-Nov 3, 2020

The City of San Ramon has five secure ballot drop boxes open for ballot return between now and November 3. Indoor drop boxes at San Ramon City Hall, the San Ramon Permit Center, and the Alcosta Senior and Community Center are open Mon–Fri, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Outdoor drop boxes at the San Ramon Community Center and Dougherty Station Community Center are open 24/7 until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3. Ballots can also be returned via mail (no postage required), and must be postmarked by November 3.

Voter registration between now and November 3 must be in person, at the time of voting, at one of Contra Costa County’s early voting sites, or at the Elections Division in Martinez.

Regional Early Voting Sites open this Friday, October 30. In San Ramon, the Amador Rancho Community Center (1998 Rancho Park Loop) will be open the following days and times:

Fri, Oct 30: 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Sat, Oct 31: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Mon, Nov 2: 11 a.m.–7 p.m.

On Tuesday, November 3, several polling places will be open throughout the community. To locate your designated polling place, use the My Voting Information tool or check the back cover of the Voter Information Guide mailed to you. The polls are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Those who choose to vote in person will be required to practice social distancing and wear face coverings. If voters don't have PPE available, the County will provide it. All Elections staff and volunteers will be required to wear masks. Sanitizer will be available at the entry and exit of all in person polling places and the equipment will be sanitized regularly.

To minimize the time spent at the polling place, voters should review their ballots ahead of time and arrive ready to vote for their preferred candidates and ballot measures.

> Read the Press Release About Elections from Contra Costa County Health Services

> Learn more about Elections in Contra Costa County

> View Election Information for San Ramon

Community Resources for San Ramon

The following information and resources are available at the City of San Ramon’s website, and are updated regularly:

 

Ways to Stay Informed

Website: www.sanramon.ca.gov/covid-19

Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, NextDoor

General Questions: (925) 973-2500

General COVID-19 Help Line for San Ramon: (925) 570-1186

Senior Hotline (English): (925) 973-3250

Senior Voicemail Line (Mandarin): (925) 973-3277

Contra Costa County Help Line: 2-1-1

Email: info@sanramon.ca.gov


Once again, I want to extend my thanks to everyone for your care and support for one another—it truly is a sign of a strong community!

Joe Gorton
San Ramon City Manager