Fresno sets plan to help residents cope with coronavirus. How city will protect essential services
Fresno Mayor Lee Brand declared a state of emergency on Monday in response to the coronavirus and announced a number of measures the city is taking to serve residents during the pandemic.
The Fresno City Council voted unanimously to approve the mayor’s declaration during a special meeting on Monday. The council also OK’d a price-gouging ordinance.
Both Brand and Council President Miguel Arias sent messages of unity between city leaders and the community.
“More than anything else, I ask the people of Fresno to remain calm during these highly unusual, confusing and stressful times,” he said. “We are all in this together.”
Arias asked residents to look out for one another, especially the elderly and other vulnerable people. He asked younger residents to stay home to protect those populations : “Stay home, save lives.”
The city ordered the Fresno Convention Center, including the Selland Arena and Saroyan Theater, closed and will prohibit public gatherings of 50 people or more. Bars are ordered closed, and restaurants are requested to cut their capacity, per the governor’s recommendation. The city will not issue any new event permits, Arias said.
Water, garbage service will continue
Brand announced a moratorium on shutting off water and stopping garbage services for those with overdue payments. Brand said the city’s water supply has not been compromised and is safe, or safer, to drink than bottled water.
Businesses license tax payment deadlines are postponed until May 1.
Brand alluded to an eviction moratorium potentially coming from the governor or state Legislature and said Fresno will follow those guidelines. But as of his announcement, no state-level decision was announced.
“The important thing for the people of Fresno to know is that no one is going to be forced from their home during this crisis,” Brand said.
Fresno police will assist Fresno schools in managing traffic during meal pickups. Police Chief Andy Hall also said some detectives may be reassigned to patrol.
Meals from the Fresno-Madera Area Agency on Aging will be delivered to homes. City leaders hope to announce soon measures so people 65 and older and other vulnerable populations can safely access grocery stores.
The city is working to provide extra sanitation measures for the homeless and is considering options recommended by the governor. Sanitation and cleaning also will be increased on FAX buses and at the Fresno Yosemite International Airport.
Brand said he will lead by example and follow the governor’s guidelines for people age 65 and older. That means he will work from home as much as possible and avoid most public events. City employees 65 and older and those considered vulnerable to COVID-19 were asked Sunday evening to stay home, with pay.
City Hall will remain open to serve customers, but Brand encouraged people to use online services and the FresGo mobile app.
Councilmember calls for stricter prohibition
Councilmember Nelson Esparza said the city’s action on Monday was important but still comes up short. He called on the mayor to prohibit all non-essential gatherings of 10 or more people and to encourage residents to refrain from public life as much as possible.
“The only way that we as a human species can beat this virus right now is by continuing our aggressive path of social distancing,” he said. “We all have concerns about the state of the economy, but we do know that it is going to get worst before it gets better. When the dust settles, we will work aggressively to help our local economy get back on its feet. We as leaders must protect human life from COVID-19 right now at all costs.”
The move comes one day after Fresno County declared a state of emergency. So far, there are two patients countywide who have tested positive for coronavirus.
This story was originally published March 16, 2020 at 11:34 AM.