The City of Albany is working closely with
Alameda County Public Health
to monitor and mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The Albany City Council
declared a local emergency
at their Council meeting on March 16th, 2020. The City of Albany has activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
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ESSENTIAL CITY SERVICES WILL REMAIN AVAILABLE
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While all non-essential City meetings and events have been cancelled and City facilities are closed to the public, the City of Albany
continues to provide essential services
and remains available to serve our community, particularly those that may not have easy access to food and other needed services. Many services can be conducted by
phone and/or email
.
Albany CARES
continues to provide food and housing assistance to seniors and unsheltered individuals through their hotline Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm at 1(510) 524-9122.
Street sweeping operations
continue, but parking enforcement for these violations has been suspended during the shelter in place. Officers may address other parking violations that may be deemed necessary for the safety or well-being of the community.
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CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING 3-26-20, 4:30PM
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The City Council will hold a virtual meeting on
Thursday, March 26 at 4:30pm
to discuss an urgency ordinance enacting a temporary moratorium on foreclosures, evictions, and rent increases. The public is invited to watch and submit comments.
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Mayor Nick Pilch issued a Mayor’s Statement on March 24.
“Please continue to follow the advice of public health officials, and shelter-in-place, only venturing out for necessities and outdoor time. The more we follow the advice of these officials, the more we slow the spread and make it possible for our health system to manage this global pandemic in our area, and control the outbreak.”
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PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN ALBANY TEMPORARILY HOUSED
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The City of Albany’s Project HOPE (Housing Opportunities Expanded), in collaboration with the City’s service provider Berkeley Food & Housing Project (BFHP), has temporarily housed 10 people experiencing homelessness in Albany in hotel rooms, and provided food and basic need items. BFHP continues to provide support to these individuals.
Project HOPE is committed to continuing to provide outreach, engagement and housing services to people experiencing homelessness in Albany during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, please call the Albany Human Services Hotline at 1(510) 524-9122 or email
[email protected]
.
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ENJOY OUR PARKS, BUT STAY APART
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Alameda County’s Shelter-in-Place Order a
llows outdoor exercise, but requires that you stay
at least 6 feet away
from anyone not in your immediate household. For the safety of the community, our playgrounds are closed. We urge you to stay at home as much as you can. Not only because it is the law, but for the health of your family, your neighbors, and your community.
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NEW TESTING SITE IN HAYWARD
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The COVID-19 Testing Center, at
Hayward Fire Station #7, 28270 Huntwood Avenue.
, has been established to take pressure off hospital emergency rooms, provide quicker answers for recently exposed first responders and health care workers, and to enhance the region’s capacity to suppress new transmissions. The Center is outfitted to test up to 350 people a day. It is free to the public and open to anyone regardless of where they live or immigration status.
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- AC Transit is implementing rear-door boarding on buses with multiple doors. Passengers who require a ramp, use mobility devices or need priority seating may continue to use the front door for boarding. Wheelchair riders may be allowed onboard without securements by bus operators.
- Fare payment not required until further notice.
- Passengers are strongly encouraged to stay 6 feet apart from each other and the bus operator when boarding, riding and exiting the bus.
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Utility Disconnections Paused
East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) and Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) have voluntarily paused service disconnections for non-payment for residential and commercial customers. Many service providers, including internet and phone service providers, may have similar options available to customers affected by COVID-19. Check your provider’s website for detailed information about your options.
EBMUD Continues to Provide Safe Drinking Water and Wastewater Services
COVID-19 has not affected EBMUD's drinking water supply or services. All EBMUD tap water remains safe to drink, as EBMUD water treatment plants are designed to eliminate pathogens including viruses and bacteria.
Waste Management Continues Service
Waste Management continues to provide service to residential and commercial customers. Commercial call centers are operating. Residential call centers should be up by the end of the week. Until then, WMAC Customers can submit service questions and issues via email to
[email protected]
. For up-to-date service alerts, visit
Waste Management’s website
Steer Clear of PG&E Scams
PG&E offers the following tips to help protect customers from all types of potential scams: PG&E will never ask for personal information or a credit card number over the phone, and customers should always ask to see identification before allowing anyone claiming to be a PG&E representative inside their home. Report any suspected scamming immediately by calling PG&E at 1-800-743-5000 or visit
pge.com/scams
. If you feel threatened in any way, notify local law enforcement immediately.
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EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE RESOURCES
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Do you own or work for a local business?
Have your hours or pay been cut?
Interested in what you can do to support local businesses during this time?
There are many ways we can continue to support our local businesses during this time. For ideas,
visit our website
.
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ACCESSING ACCURATE NEWS IN A TIME OF INFORMATION OVERLOAD
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News and updates on COVID-19 has flooded the web in recent weeks. To access up-to-date facts and information, visit these sources:
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PUT A SMILE ON YOUR FACE AS YOU SHELTER IN PLACE
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Visit the Alameda County Library...without leaving your couch
Even though the library is closed, you can still access eAudiobooks, movies, music, and more with your library card using Alameda County Public Library’s eResources.
Cook something new
Open up one of the cookbooks you’ve (probably) never opened before and follow a recipe or two! Feeling adventurous? Create a dish using only ingredients you already have in your pantry. Email your recipe with friends and family!
Go to the zoo
Learn a language
Download a language learning app or find an online course.
Disconnect
During this unprecedented situation, it is normal to feel stressed, lonely, anxious, or overwhelmed. Make sure to take at least a few minutes each day to put away your devices, silence the news, and do a relaxing activity to reset.
What have you and your family been up to during the shelter-in-place?
Share your creative activity ideas with us, and we may feature your idea in an upcoming eNews!
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TIPS ON BUYING AND STORING FOOD
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The California Grocers Association released a statement on industry conditions on March 14. The Association encourages customers to remain calm as they prepare to shelter-in-place. According to the Association, “Overbuying could become a concern as a customer who buys more than they need could prevent another customer’s preparation.”
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To ensure you get alerts and the latest emergency information, please sign up for the following:
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Sign up for local emergency alerts.
If you live, work, or visit Alameda County, take a moment to sign up for "AC Alert", the Alameda County emergency notification system. Signing up will allow you to receive emergency and topical information about flooding, earthquakes, fires and other emergencies occurring in your area.
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And also be sure to follow the City of Albany Twitter account. When communication services are limited, Twitter is where government agencies, relief organizations, media, volunteers, and citizens go to communicate and collaborate - fast.
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Feel like you didn't know about a public meeting topic, street repair on your block or the local dog park going in across the street?
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