Los Banos, Livingston declare coronavirus emergencies, Merced County communities prepare
.jpeg "A sign on the Los Banos Chamber of Commerce’s office window encourages residents to ‘stay strong’ through the coronavirus pandemic.")
Barely two weeks after the first cases of coronavirus starting appearing in the Valley, the pandemic hit closer to home Thursday when a City of Merced employee tested positive for the virus.
Many nearby Valley counties have reported cases, including Madera, Fresno, Santa Clara, Tulare and Stanislaus.
While many are concerned about how the virus will impact larger cities nationally, smaller cities and towns in Merced County are also gearing up for the coming weeks and months.
Merced County, Merced and Atwater have all recently declared emergencies because of the coronavirus threat. Here’s how Merced County’s smaller cities are preparing for coronavirus, and hoping to prevent its spread.
Los Banos
A local emergency declaration was ratified by Los Banos City Council Wednesday night, following similar proclamations by other area cities, the county, the state and the country.
Through Facebook live, the meeting was Los Banos’s first streamed City Council meeting.
City council members sat spaced apart and one joined electronically. The public could send questions to a temporary email address instead of physically attending.
The city announced this week that City Hall will operate with adjusted hours and increased precautions.
“Los Banos has always been a resilient community,” said Los Banos Police Cmdr. Jason Hedden. “While this is inconvenient, it’s a necessary step,” he added.
The changes promote social distancing, which slows the COVID-19 pandemic’s spread by limiting physical contact. City employees are not working from home at this time.
The police department, fire department and public works are all closed to the public, but appointments may be made by phone or email.
“If someone needs a cop, they’re going to get one,” Hedden said.
City Hall is allowing just five people in the lobby at a time. Additional waiting areas are available outdoors.
Utilities can be paid online, by phone or via the City Hall dropbox. Water shut-offs will temporarily not take place.
Hedden noted residents’ frustrations over food and supply shortages at grocery stores, but assured that stores will stay open and be restocked. He urged the public to resist hoarding so that everyone has ample supplies.
“I think that people during these times need to realize they should be good neighbors,” he said.
Some Los Banos stores altered some hours to be reserved only for the elderly. Other shops and restaurants are doing takeout only.
It was announced Wednesday that the annual Spring Fair in Los Banos is canceled.
Livingston
The City of Livingston also declared a local emergency Tuesday night. City Hall is closed to the public as well, effective Thursday.
“Everybody is obviously concerned,” said Livingston Mayor Gurpal Samra.
City lobbies, such the police department’s, are only accessible to employees. But essential services like public safety, water and refuse collection will continue for residents.
City employees are not yet working from home, but the option is being looked into, Samra said.
The public can call, email, fax or continue city business online. Late payments will not result in penalties or disconnection at this time, Samra said.
City recreation activities are postponed, and many events within at least the next month are canceled, like the Sikh Parade and Kite Festival. Livingston restaurants are doing either takeout-only or not filling past half capacity.
“We don’t know how long this will last,” Samra said. “We have not had anything remotely close to this,” he added.
Tuesday’s City Council meeting operated under social distancing recommendations. Much of the agenda was postponed to a later date, Samra said.
The next meeting will feature a call-line so the public can ask questions or comment without physically attending.
Samra urged residents to support those who may need assistance, like the elderly, without compromising their health.
“Don’t just show up, please call them,” he said.
Dos Palos
The City of Dos Palos has not yet declared a local emergency, but it has closed City Hall.
Located in an old bank building, City Manager Darrel Fonseca said the setup has allowed City Hall to continue normal city business with residents through a walk or drive-through window.
“That’s working quite well,” Fonseca said. “The public has been very cooperative and understanding.”
Public safety and public works projects are continuing during the closure.
Many events are canceled, but some gatherings with less than 10 individuals are continuing with the requirement that 6 feet of distance remain between attendees.
Fonseca said the city received some supplies, such as masks, should the public request them.
The small staff of city employees are not working from home, and no changes have been made to City Council meetings other assembling with social distance.
“It’s not a panic, it’s good,” Fonseca said. “I think everyone understands the situation we’re all in.”
Gustine
The City of Gustine has not declared a local emergency either, and its City Hall doors remains open as well.
“We don’t see the emergency hitting us yet,” City Manager Douglas Dunford said, noting that Gustine falls under the county’s emergency declaration.
The front lobby is still open to the public, but social distancing is being followed by employees and at City Council meetings. A phone line will be set up at the next council meeting for the public to call, instead of attending.
“We’re still trying to conduct business as usual under the constrictions being placed on us,” said Dunford.
Aside from school closures, Dunford said many businesses have remained open and are operating as normally as possible.
The police department is reaching out to senior citizens to see if they need assistance.
“Each city is trying to do the best they can under the conditions,” Dunford said.
This story was originally published March 20, 2020 at 5:00 PM.
