Move activates Emergency Operations Center; allows for Federal reimbursement of COVID-19 related expenditures

The Paso Robles Municipal Code Chapter 2.24 empowers the City Manager, acting as the Director of Emergency Services, to proclaim the existence or threatened existence of a local emergency. In response to the increasing spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) across the state, Paso Robles City Manager Tom Frutchey has declared a state of local emergency, effective 10 a.m. on March 17, 2020.

The declaration allows for activation of the City’s Emergency Operations Center, which would qualify the City to receive Federal reimbursement for COVID-19-related costs to the City and facilitate coordination with county, state, and federal emergency response teams.

The City Council will consider ratification of the declaration by resolution at tonight’s City Council meeting. Residents are encouraged to live stream the meeting and call in to provide public comment rather than attending in person (info at www.prcity.com/agendacenter).

Residents are encouraged to continue to follow social distancing guidelines and to refer to www.readyslo.org for the County Public Health Department’s COVID-19-related guidance to the public.