Mill Valley Coronavirus Update For March 18

From the City of Mill Valley:

City Council Adopts a Resolution Proclaiming a Local Emergency

On Monday, March 16, 2020 the City Council adopted a Resolution proclaiming a Local Emergency for the City of Mill Valley in response to the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). The proclamation of local emergency will mobilize resources, accelerate emergency planning, streamline staffing, and allow for future reimbursement by the state and federal governments. Additionally, the proclamation reinforces City staff’s role as Disaster Service Workers so that we can be confident that our local readiness efforts are as robust as possible to protect the health of our community. Read the Staff Report and Proclamation

Council Directs City Manager to Appoint a Business Support Task Force

Responding to concerns regarding the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mayor and City Council directed Acting City Manager/Chief of Police Alan Piombo to appoint an ad-hoc committee made up of members of the business community, Chamber of commerce, City staff and two Council representatives to pursue immediate mitigation and relief of the economic impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on local businesses.

Public Health: Shelter in Place Order

On March 16, the public health officers of seven Bay Area jurisdictions, including Marin, issued a legal order directing residents to shelter at home for three weeks beginning March 17. The order limits activity, travel and business functions to only the most essential needs. Read FAQs on the Public Health Order.

A Message from Fire Chief Tom Welch

"We’d like to remind community members that in an emergency, please dial 9-1-1. We ask that you do not call 9-1-1 for non-medical questions related to COVID-19. Our Communications Center has been inundated with general information phone calls regarding COVID-19."If you have general, non-medical questions about COVID-19 and the new Shelter in Place Order, please contact Marin Health and Human Services by calling 415-473-7191 weekdays (9:30 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m.) or emailing COVID-19@marincounty.org.

City Facilities and Services - Updates on closures and service shifts

• Mill Valley Public Library Closed.
• Community Center Closed
• City Hall shifts to online, phone and appointment only access.
• Planning and Building Update

Local Business and Community Organizations Cancellations and Closures

What you can do:

Stay informed:

• Marin County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has created a web page with updates, links, and frequently asked questions at www.marinhhs.org/coronavirus.
• Please sign up for regular email updates through the Marin HHS website.

Stay healthy: We encourage everyone to practice good hygiene to reduce your risk of becoming infected with a respiratory virus like influenza or COVID-19:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially before eating, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water is not available
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or crook of your elbow (not your hands).If you use a tissue, throw it away and wash your hands afterward
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
• Stay home from work or school if you have a fever or are feeling sick
• Stay away from people who are ill, especially if you are at higher risk for serious illness.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe
• Get your flu shot to protect against the flu
• Even if you are not ill, avoid visiting hospitals, long term care facilities, or nursing homes to the extent possible.
• Do not go to the emergency room unless essential.
• Get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids, eat healthy foods, and manage your stress to keep your immunity strong.
• Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others.

What we are doing: We are working actively with all Departments and partner agencies to advise on best practices on how to prepare and mitigate disease spread. Click here to read more about our COVID-19 Response Plan

Additional Resources:

Travel: Anyone planning to travel abroad should consult the CDC website for the latest country-specific guidance.

Small Businesses: If your small business has been affected by COVID-19 here is where you can find more information about SBA disaster assistance loans.

Wages and Work: The California Employment Development Department has a variety of resources for those concerned about lost wages or ability to work here.

School Information: Marin County school leaders are in close contact with the County Department of Health and Human Services to obtain the most current guidance related to the Coronavirus/COVID-19. Visit the Mill Valley School District website for more information on closures.

Questions:

Inquiries may be directed to Marin County Public Health at:Email: Covid-19@marincounty.org, orPhone: 415-473-7191 - Phone calls will be answered Monday through Friday, 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

The City of Mill Valley will coordinate with Marin County HHS to provide updates on the coronavirus as it affects community members. If there is urgent news, it will be sent as a special edition of MVConnect.

This press release was produced by the City of Mill Valley. The views expressed here are the author’s own.