City of Baldwin Park - Coronavirus/COVID-19 Update

BALDWIN PARK, CALIF. (Friday, March 13, 2020) Baldwin Park Mayor and City Council took actions at a special meeting on Thursday, March 12, 2020 to ramp up City preparedness as coronavirus cases slowly increase in Los Angeles County.

Focusing on preventative measures and preparedness, City leaders moved to declare a state of emergency and modify community services in response to State and County guidelines.
Mayor Manuel Lozano reassured residents by stating, “Declaring an emergency will allow the City to respond swiftly to new developments, and make us eligible to receive local, State and Federal resources as needed. To date, there is no report of any cases of the Coronavirus within the City of Baldwin Park, and the individual risk for contracting COVID-19 remains low for most citizens.”

As a result of the declaration, the City’s Office of Emergency Services will be activated to coordinate with the Baldwin Park School District, Valley County Water District, as well as County, State and Federal agencies, as needed.

Citywide Community Services Update
Additionally, Baldwin Park City Hall will be closed to the public beginning Monday, March 16, 2020. Residents can still access City Hall via phone and e-mail during regular hours of operation. Residents can also visit the City website (https://www.baldwinpark.com) to access on-line service portals. For urgent items please call for an appointment at (626) 960-4011.

The Baldwin Park Police Department will remain open as usual.

Please note that the City of Baldwin Park will be shutting down non-essential activities and limiting events in accordance with State and County guidelines. The following will take place immediately:

• Parks locations will remain open as outdoor-only facilities during regular hours of dawn to dusk. Restrooms will be open during regular operating hours.
• All programming at Parks and Recreation facilities will be cancelled immediately. This includes all recreational activities, indoor and outdoor sports leagues, aquatics classes, instructional courses and group sessions.
• The senior lunch program will occur on Monday, March 16, 2020 and Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at its regular location. Starting Wednesday, March 18, 2020 the senior lunch program will transition to a frozen meal pick-up and or delivery program. All other senior programs will be cancelled immediately until further notice.
• The Community Center, swimming pool, gymnasium and Senior Center will be closed for two weeks beginning immediately and all related gatherings and programs have been cancelled.
• The Teen Center, Arts & Recreation Center and Barnes Park facilities are also closed for the next two weeks beginning immediately.
• All large-scale events of 250 people or more at Baldwin Park Parks locations have been cancelled.
• New reservations of facilities at Baldwin Park Parks will be suspended effective immediately.
• Existing facility reservations between March 16, 2020 and March 30, 2020 will be cancelled.

Health and Wellness Information
We encourage residents to take preventive measures that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have outlined. Those include:

• Stay home if you are sick except to get medical treatment.
• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If you cannot wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Use your sleeve if you don't have a tissue handy.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth in case your hands are not clean.
• Practice healthy habits. Get plenty of sleep, stay active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious foods.
• Minimize contact, and avoid shaking hands and high-fiving.
• Certain patients, such as the elderly, those that are immune compromised or have underlying health conditions should call their doctor earlier.
• Get immunized against the flu to protect yourself and your family, and reduce the potential strain on the healthcare system, which may be impacted by COVID-19 concerns.
• If you have questions, please call the clinic or your doctor before going in. If you do not have a healthcare provider, Los Angeles County residents can CALL 2-1-1 for assistance or finding support near you.
• COVID-19 Testing at local hospitals is provided at No-Cost. However, you must meet the criteria to be tested for the Novel Coronavirus.
• Follow all social distancing recommendations issued by LA County Department of Public Health.

For the most updated information always check with trusted sources. You can log on and download available apps at the following websites:

• City of Baldwin Park https://www.baldwinpark.com
• Baldwin Park Police Department http://www.baldwinparkpolice.com
• Los Angeles County Department of Public Health http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/
• California Department of Public Health
  https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immuniz ation/nCOV2019.aspx
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/novel- coronavirus-2019.html
• World Health Organization https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus