A local emergency was declared in Montebello Thursday and city agencies were directed to take additional steps to help slow the spread of coronavirus, including new limits on public gatherings in city facilities and at City Hall.
Mayor Salvador Melendez and City Council members signed the emergency declaration and issued the following directives to city personnel and department heads:
— Temporary closure of the Montebello City Hall complex to members of the public, except for City Council meetings;
— Transitioning board and commission meetings to accessible phone or video conferencing sessions that allow constituents to make comments, ask questions and engage with local leaders;
— Postponement or cancellation of all non-essential public community events or group activities with 50 or more participants or events that require close contact between vulnerable individuals;
— Stoppage of all events or conferences on city-owned properties anticipated to attract more than 50 people. The Quiet Cannon will continue normal operations as city leaders continue to monitor their activities for potential concerns related to COVID-19;
— Plan development for staggered entry of visitors into public buildings, not to exceed more than 50 at a time. Transit locations and similar facilities are exempt;
— Ensuring that hand-washing and sanitizing stations are available in city-owned public buildings, and taking extra steps to clean facilities thoroughly and regularly;
— Stoppage of all non-essential travel by city employees to all destinations, domestic or foreign; and
— Directing all department heads to develop an emergency COVID-19 telecommuting plan for implementation should it become unsafe for staff to travel to or work from their regular work location.
The order follows the new state guidelines issued by Gov. Gavin Newsom Wednesday night which call for the cancellation of postponement of all gatherings of 250 people or more.