CITY OF VERNON DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY

Vernon, CA (March 14, 2020) – The City of Vernon has declared a local state of emergency due to the outbreak of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). At approximately 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2020, the Honorable Mayor Melissa Ybarra, acting as the Chief Executive Officer of the Vernon Disaster Council issued Emergency Proclamation 2020-01 declaring the existence of a local emergency.

The action follows declarations by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and the Department of Public Health, as well as earlier declarations by the State of California and President Trump.

The proclamation of local emergency will assist in a coordinated public health response to reduce transmission and illness severity, provide assistance to public safety and health providers, and mitigate the effects of this pandemic on the citizens, businesses, and employees of the City. Vernon City Administrator Carlos Fandino said the Proclamation was the first of several actions his administration plans to take in the coming days as part of a response to the COVID-19 outbreak and any resulting impacts to the City.

“We are following the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and will be adjusting our operations and procedures accordingly,” said City Administrator Fandino.

In a proactive effort to minimize exposure and community spread of COVID-19, the City has cancelled all public gathering events including their “Spring Eggstravaganza” event planned for March 26, 2020 and temporarily suspended the “Abriendo Puertas-Opening Doors” parenting program hosted by the YMCA at City Hall. The Vernon City Council will hold a Special City Council Meeting at 9:00am on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 to consider additional preventative measures and impacts to the City as a result of COVID-19. The City will continue to update the community as new information becomes available via our website at www.cityofvernon.org/COVID19.