PRESS RELEASE
CITY OF BENICIA
City Hall, 250 East L Street
Benicia, California 94510
Contact: Lorie Tinfow, City Manager
ltinfow@ci.benicia.ca.us

City of Benicia Declares Local Emergency in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

Benicia, CA (March 15, 2020) — Today, City Manager Lorie Tinfow, in her authority as Director of Emergency Services, issued a proclamation of local emergency in the City of Benicia in accordance with California Emergency Services Act and Benicia Municipal Code in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The City Council will ratify the declaration within seven days.

“We have no diagnosed cases of COVID-19 in Benicia. Issuing a proclamation of local emergency follows actions already taken by the County of Solano and the State of California and positions the City of Benicia for possible reimbursement from the State and Federal agencies for costs incurred during this public health emergency,” said Tinfow. “Doing so also allows for greater management flexibility in issues associated with City employees as disaster service workers.”

“I know I speak for the entire City Council when I express our concern for the safety and well-being of our community members during this uncertain time, especially those most vulnerable among us,” said Mayor Elizabeth Patterson. “Our excellent City staff are taking necessary actions to protect the community. Council will ratify the declaration and do what we can to assist City staff in protecting everyone.”

The local emergency will continue until terminated by the Benicia City Council. For up-to-date information about the City of Benicia’s response to COVID-19, please go to ci.benicia.ca.us/coronavirus.

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