City of Los Angeles to Require Use of Face Coverings at Non-Medical Essential Services Starting April 10th

Mayor Eric Garcetti on Tuesday, April 7th issued an emergency order that will require many workers providing non-medical essential services to wear face coverings while at work.

The order takes effect April 10 and also requires customers at grocery stores and many other essential businesses to wear face coverings.

Under the Mayor’s emergency order, employers of many non-medical essential businesses must either provide workers with cloth face coverings that shield their noses and mouths or reimburse employees for their cost. Essential businesses must also implement physical distancing measures for employees, customers, and visitors; make sure employees have access to a clean and sanitary restroom, stocked with all necessary cleansing products like soap and sanitizer; and allow employees to wash their hands at least every 30 minutes. Non-medical essential businesses described in the order will be allowed to refuse service to customers who do not wear face coverings. The order also recommends that, whenever possible, businesses install plexiglass barriers between cashiers and customers.

Los Angeles residents should limit trips outside their residences to only the most necessary and vital tasks — and this week, should postpone trips to the grocery store and other important errands as much as possible. Mayor Garcetti’s “Safer at Home” emergency order requires City of Los Angeles residents to remain in their homes except for the most essential activities — including critical tasks such as securing food and health, safety and medical necessities, as well as caring for children, elder adults, family, friends and people with disabilities.

The order is at www.lamayor.org/sites/g/files/wph446/f/page/file/WorkerProtection.pdf.

City of Ojai to Require Use of Face Coverings at Essential Businesses Effective April 10th

On April 8, 2020, the City of Ojai announced the implementation of executive order 20-02, requiring that, effective April 10, 2020, employees and customers at an essential business wear a face covering over their nose and mouth. Face coverings are not required when driving or when you are outside in a location where you are unlikely to encounter others in close proximity; but residents are reminded to practice good social distancing at all times.

The notice requests that residents not purchase N95 or surgical masks needed by medical professionals, but instead requires face coverings from bandanas, scarves, or cloth masks. The City will provide signage to essential businesses advising customers of the requirement.

This order is intended to protect both residents and employees who are performing essential services.

Community Market at Oxnard College to Close Until Further Notice (Reopening June 6, 2021)

UPDATE: The Community Market is reopening on June 6, 2021.

The Community Market at Oxnard College, which operates every Sunday on the Oxnard College campus, will be closed until further notice. It will reopen as soon as public health orders allow. The closure follows the guidelines from the California Department of Public Health, which recommends increasing social distancing to reduce the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Over 150 vendors sell fresh produce, pre-packaged food, household products, appliances, tools, plants, arts/crafts, antiques/collectibles, toys, shoes, jewelry/accessories, cosmetics and other items. Credits will be provided to vendors who have already paid for booth space.

The public can contact Connie Owens, Oxnard College Foundation, at cowens@vcccd.edu with questions. Questions from vendors should be directed to Maria Olivares, C.M. office manager, at maria_olivares2@my.vcccd.edu

About Oxnard College Foundation

The mission of the Oxnard College Foundation is to provide support to campus development, student scholarships, educational programs, and other college needs in order to promote the progressive and continuing advancement of Oxnard College, to further educational excellence and enable the college to serve as an exemplary multicultural community resource.

About Oxnard College

Oxnard College is one of three colleges in the Ventura County Community College District and annually serves more than 7,000 students. Founded in 1975, Oxnard College is fully accredited and has been ranked the 4th Best Community College in California. It is also a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution. Oxnard College’s signature programs include marine biology; culinary arts, restaurant management and hospitality management; auto technology and fire technology, among many other undergraduate study and career technical education programs. The Dream Resource Center is a valuable student and community resource. Oxnard Colleges’ dental hygiene program has a 99.99% pass rate on national and board exams. To learn more, visit oxnardcollege.edu and Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Councilmember Rob McCoy Has Resigned from the Thousand Oaks City Council

Councilmember Rob McCoy has resigned his seat on the Thousand Oaks City Council effective immediately. Originally elected to the City Council in 2015, McCoy served as Mayor from December 2018 through December 2019.

In commenting on the resignation, Mayor Al Adam said “Rob was a voice of strength and healing as the City recovered from two simultaneous tragedies - Borderline and Woolsey Fire. I appreciate his contributions and wish him and his family well. While these circumstances are unfortunate, the remaining members of the Council and I are very much focused on moving forward.”

Based on the City’s ordinance for filling vacant seats, it is likely that the seat will remain vacant until filled during the upcoming November election.

Spoke w/ Mayor Al Adam this AM. Told me McCoy texted council last night to tell them.
“I think he’s doing the right thing,” Adam said of the resignation. “He can’t be an elected official and at the same time go forward with this (the communion). . . Now he’s a private citizen.”

— Kyle Jorrey (@KyleBJorrey) April 5, 2020

City of Ventura Closes All Parks and Beaches in Response to COVID-19 Emergency (Reopened April 20th)

UPDATE: City of Ventura beaches were reopened for active use only on April 20th.

Effective April 1st, all parks and beaches in the City of Ventura will be closed until further notice in order to support the urgent need for physical distancing during the COVID-19 emergency period. This includes the Promenade, Pier, and Wastewater Treatment Plant wildlife ponds.

The County’s modified Stay Well at Home order asks community members to stay inside their homes, limiting all outside movement beyond what is necessary to take care of essential needs and ordering all non-essential businesses to close. Those orders also include restrictions against non-essential travel and gatherings.

www.cityofventura.ca.gov

Ventura County Public Health Comments About Use of Face Masks

Today, April, 2, 2020, the Ventura County Public Health Officer changes position on face masks, no longer advising against wearing them in public. Instead, he supports those residents who wish to cover their nose and mouth when leaving home for essential travel to doctor appointments, grocery shopping or pharmacy visits. The face coverings should not be hospital grade at this time because there is a shortage and our health professionals need them. Masks should be homemade and cover the nose and mouth. There are numerous sites online which demonstrate or give patterns for how to make fabric masks.

The Camarillo Sewing Brigade provides video instruction at bit.ly/MakeMask.

Additional instruction at www.instructables.com/id/AB-Mask-for-a-Nurse-by-a-Nurse.

Fabric masks can be washed and used again.

For decades, Public Health officials nationwide and locally have said that wearing a mask for protection against the flu is unnecessary for the general public. Now, Ventura County Public Health Officer Doctor Robert Levin says circumstances have changed. “There is growing evidence that people can have COVID-19 without any symptoms and that they can pass it to others at this stage. Many people wear masks thinking it will protect them from a virus, and in certain cases it may. That may also be true for COVID-19 especially if accompanied by good hand hygiene and social distancing, but now there may be a better reason to wear a mask; it will decrease the chance of you spreading it to someone else if you have the infection asymptomatically.”

This is particularly important if decreasing spread means not infecting a senior or someone with other chronic conditions. “In light of building evidence, I support those who wish to wear a mask in public. I don’t think everyone must do so, but I look upon those who do as making a responsible decision. I never thought I’d say that.” It is imperative though, that the use of masks by members of the public not contribute to the shortage of personal protective equipment needed by first responders like health care workers. If someone chooses to wear a mask in public, it should be home made, at least until there is no more shortage. “I’m not ready to wear a mask yet but I will respect those who do. It’s going to be hard for me to not start wearing one,” said Doctor Levin. “Covering your face doesn’t change the orders everyone must abide by to stay home as much as possible and maintain social distancing, but it’s an extra layer of protection that I think is reasonable to add.”

The rationale for covering one’s face comes from the belief that transmission occurs primarily through droplets from an infected individual, which fabrics may filter. This not only helps to reduce the risk a well person can breathe those droplets in, but also protects others around someone with mild or no symptoms who may not yet realize they have the COVID-19 infection. Face coverings may be worn anytime a person is outside of their home, even in offices of essential businesses.

“We must work together to stop the spread and save lives in our County,” said Doctor Levin. “That means that flattening the curve may benefit from another layer of protection against the virus. Consider the additional step to cover your face.” Health officials continue to stress that frequent hand washing, social distancing and staying home are the best ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Stay in your place, maintain your space and cover your face.

Ventura County Public Health Announces Additional Limitations on Activities and Businesses 3/31/20

The Ventura County Health Officer issued an order on March 31, 2020 that expands upon previous “Stay Well at Home” orders issued March 17th and March 20th. Here is what this additional order calls for:

• Restaurants offering takeout:

  • Must provide food completely contained in a suitable container to customers (e.g. an ice cream cone is not allowed unless served inside a covered container).

  • Patrons must consume food elsewhere (e.g. not within the line of sight of a person standing in front of the facility).

  • Everyone ordering or congregating at a food facility shall maintain at least a 6 foot distance from others.

• Grocery stores, certified farmers’ markets, farm and produce stands, supermarkets, convenience stores and other establishments that sell food, beverages, pet supplies or household (cleaning and personal care) products shall not sell other items such as clothing, jewelry, sporting goods, furniture, etc.

  • Only businesses whose primary business is the above items may operate. Other businesses whose gross sales over the last 6 months is less than 33% such items may not operate.

• Auto repair shops and supply stores may operate. Auto sales and showrooms may not.

• All swimming pools, hot tubs, saunas, etc. must not operate, with the exception of single-family residences that may be used only by members of the household.

• All campgrounds and RV parks must close.

• Door to door solicitations must cease for any purpose - sales of goods, charitable contributions, signature gathering, etc.

The violation of any provision of the order constitutes a threat to public health. Failure to comply is a misdemeanor punishable by fine, imprisonment or both.

The order ends at 11:59 p.m. on April 19th.

View the order at cdn.ventura.org.

All Ventura County School Districts to Close Campuses Through Remainder of School Year

All Ventura County School Districts to Close Campuses Through Remainder of School Year

Distance Learning and School Meals Will Continue

All Ventura County School Districts today agreed to keep their campuses closed through the end of the school year in support of the coronavirus mitigation effort. The decision was made in consultation with Ventura County Public Health Officer Dr. Robert Levin. It comes after recommendations from California Governor Gavin Newsom and California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond for schools to continue providing distance learning in lieu of in-class instruction for the remainder of the current semester.

“While we would like nothing more than to welcome students back to campus before the end of the year, the health and safety of our communities has to be the first priority,” said Ventura County Superintendent of Schools Stan Mantooth. “We realize the situation is fluid and schools are prepared to alter their plans as conditions warrant.”

Superintendent Mantooth emphasized that the closure of school facilities does not mean the current school year is over. Ventura County school districts are already providing distance learning opportunities for students and will continue making them more robust. Many have transitioned to online learning platforms and provided laptops and wi-fi hot spots to students who need them. Others are using paper-based materials when technological solutions are not practical.

“We understand that these closures place a tremendous burden on families and we will do everything we can to expand distance learning and continue providing meal service to students in need,” Mantooth said. Grab-n-go school meals continue to be widely available throughout Ventura County. A list of pick-up locations is available at www.vcoe.org/meals.

One of the most difficult aspects of the closure is the disruption to traditional end-of-year activities including graduation ceremonies. Schools are already exploring alternative ways to celebrate the end of the year and recognize our students for their accomplishments.

The Ventura County school districts that jointly agreed to extend their campus closures are listed below. Most Ventura County charter schools are expected to follow suit.

• Briggs School District

• Conejo Valley Unified School District

• Fillmore Unified School District

• Hueneme Elementary School District

• Las Virgenes Unified School District*

• Mesa Union School District

• Moorpark Unified School District

• Mupu Elementary School District

• Oak Park Unified School District

• Ocean View School District

• Ojai Unified School District

• Oxnard School District (K-8)

• Oxnard Union High School District

• Pleasant Valley School District

• Rio School District

• Santa Clara Elementary School District

• Santa Paula Unified School District

• Simi Valley Unified School District

• Somis Union School District

• Ventura Unified School District

For the latest updates on the impact of the coronavirus on Ventura County public schools including closures, meal service and distance learning, please visit the Ventura County Office of Education website at www.vcoe.org.

* Las Virgenes Unified School District is based in Los Angeles County, but serves a portion of Ventura County.

All California State Parks in Los Angeles County Closed Effective March 31st

Effective March 31, 2020, all California State Park Trails in LA County are currently closed at this time. In support of the state's efforts, California State Parks has taken various safety measures to avoid dangerous visitation surges and help prevent the spread of COVID-19, such as closing vehicle access at ALL 280 state parks, and fully closing others.

A list of closures can be found at www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=30355. State Park Peace Officers, in cooperation with allied law enforcement entities, will continue patrolling all state park units and enforcing all regulations.

trails.lacounty.gov/Alert/4161/ca-state-park-trails-in-la-county-closed