Tri-Valley Mayors To County: Relax Our Restrictions

TRI-VALLEY, CA — The Tri-Valley mayors of Alameda County have asked county officials to consider a sub-regional approach to allow for the easing of restrictions because their cities have lower COVID-19 case counts than more urban parts of the region.

Dublin Mayor David Haubert, Livermore Mayor John Marchand and Pleasanton Mayor Jerry Thorne wrote Erica Pan, Alameda County Public Health Department interim public health officer, on Friday, asking her to allow Tri-Valley communities to serve as a pilot project for a sub-regional reopening strategy. The mayors noted in their letter that Danville and San Ramon are part of the Tri-Valley community, but have been given the all-clear to resume more activities because they are part of Contra Costa County.

"Let us prove to you that we can navigate COVID-19 safely, that it is just as safe to shop at a local music store and gift shop as it is to shop at Walmart and Home Depot," they wrote.

Last week Contra Costa County announced it would allow in-store shopping, business offices to reopen, pools to reopen, and hair salons and barbershops to reopen next week. Sports practices and religious services are among the activities that may resume, under certain restrictions.

Alameda County has seen some loosening of restrictions, but not to the same extent. On Friday the county announced changes including allowing outdoor gatherings under certain restrictions and permitting child care providers to serve all kids, not just those of essential workers.

The mayors noted they pitched in to bring a COVID-19 testing site to their residents and have tested 3,000 people. Fewer than 1.5 percent of Dublin, Pleasanton and Livermore residents have tested positive for the coronavirus, they wrote.

The mayors said they expect political pressure from business owners to continue to build if they cannot resume operations soon.

"Our business community will need to reopen in order to stay alive and we will find it difficult to effectively enforce the more restrictive orders," they wrote.

A Pleasanton spokesperson confirmed the county had not replied as of Monday morning.

As of Sunday, Alameda County reported 29 COVID-19 cases in Dublin, 57 cases in Livermore, 64 cases in Pleasanton and 55 cases at the Santa Rita Jail. Nearly 3,900 people countywide have tested positive for the coronavirus.

Read the letter:

The City of Pleasanton along with the cities of Dublin and Livermore are advocating for a sub-regional SIP approach to our communities. @Dare2BWell updated SIP Order effective June 8: https://t.co/DLKNHCJvlP pic.twitter.com/yo9CkJAgoI
— City of Pleasanton (@pleasantonca) June 6, 2020