Danville Officials On COVID-19 Case Increases: 'We Are Concerned'

DANVILLE, CA — Danville town officials called on the community to respect social distancing guidelines amid an uptick of cases in the new coronavirus.

Officials urged residents to avoid a community-organized car cruise planned for Sunday, according to a letter signed by Mayor Karen Stepper, Vice Mayor Lisa Blackwell, and Councilmembers Newell Arnerich, Renee Morgan and Robert Storer. Organizers called on residents to "line the streets," but officials said such an event would create "a significant virus transmission risk."

"We are reaching out to you today because we are concerned. Concerned for the health not only of our citizens but also our businesses and the Danville economy," officials wrote.

Leaders are doing their best to find a balance between health and reopening the economy, they said. Many residents have made sacrifices during the pandemic, but officials said they still see people and businesses ignoring safety protocols.

Businesses could start to close again, should the increase in coronavirus cases continue, they said. Danville could take longer to recover if people continue to ignore the shelter-in-place order.

"We recognize the hardship we have all been under with the stay at home order and the shutdowns of local business, but we ask that everyone stay the course," officials wrote.

As public health officials eyed an increase in cases, Contra Costa County announced Monday plans to delay the reopenings of indoor dining, gyms and fitness centers, indoor museums, hotels and other leisure venues initially scheduled to open July 1.

Gov. Gavin Newsom reinforced the county's decision Wednesday, ordering that bars, and indoor operations at restaurants, wineries and tasting rooms, movie theaters, family entertainment venues (such as bowling alleys, miniature golf, batting cages and arcades), zoos, museums, and cardrooms close for at least three weeks in Contra Costa County and 18 others.

"The bottom line is the spread of this virus continues at a rate that is particularly concerning," Newsom said.

Read the full letter here.