REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Adopt a Resolution Extending the City's Declaration of Local Emergency for COVID-19
Report
DISCUSSION
On March 12, 2020, City Manager Kent Steffens declared a local health emergency pursuant to the authority granted to him as the Emergency Services Director in Sunnyvale Municipal Code Chapter 2.16 (Emergency Organization and Functions) and applicable state law. The City Council adopted a resolution ratifying that declaration (Resolution No. 979-20) on March 17, 2020, and resolutions extending the declaration on April 7, 2020, (Resolution No. 981-20), May 26, 2020, (Resolution No. 994-20), July 14, 2020, (Resolution No. 1010-20), August 25, 2020, (Resolution No. 1016-20), October 13, 2020 (Resolution No. 1025-20), December 8, 2020 (Resolution No. 1036-20), February 2, 2021 (Resolution No. 1042-21) and March 30, 2021 (Resolution No. 1045-21).
The situation with COVID-19 has improved significantly since the Council's last emergency extension. As of the date this report was written, California has the lowest rate of COVID-19 cases in the nation and vaccination rates are increasing. However, the emergency conditions related to COVID-19 continue. The state's "tier" system for COVID-19 restrictions remains in effect, and Santa Clara County was in the second lowest "orange" tier at the time this report was written. Although the Governor has announced plans to fully reopen in June, the details of that plan have not yet been released, and reopening is contingent on increased vaccinations and continued low case and hospitalization numbers. Vaccination rates have slowed, and public health authorities are making new efforts to reach individuals not yet vaccinated. Even with reopening, the state anticipates that, at a minimum, mask mandates will remain in place.
Therefore, staff anticipates that the COVID-19 emergency conditions will continue at least into the summer. Staff recommends that Council adopt the attached resolution extending th...
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