TORRANCE PROCLAIMS EXISTENCE OF LOCAL EMERGENCY

3/12/2020

TORRANCE, Calif., March 12, 2020- Today, Torrance City Manager LeRoy J. Jackson, as the City’s Director of Emergency Services proclaimed the existence of a local emergency in the City of Torrance. The proclamation shall continue to exist for a period of 7 days or until the City Council takes action to ratify or terminate the proclamation of local emergency. The City Council will be meeting on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 to address emergency items only, including the emergency proclamation.

The City recognizes the very real potential for widespread community transmission of COVID-19 occurring among the general public and the need for the City of Torrance to work cooperatively and proactively to slow the spread of COVID-19 and address any challenges that may arise due to any outbreak of this disease in the City.

If the potential of COVID-19, as stated in Governor Newsome’s Executive Order N-25-20, and by State and Federal authorities is fully manifested, conditions in the community are likely to have significant impacts to city services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of the City of Torrance.

The City of Torrance has always held the well-being and health of our community as a priority. In an effort to protect our residents, business partners, visitors and employees, we are conferring with medical experts and the consulting guidance from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and will be cancelling or postponing upcoming large gatherings or community events.

These precautions are being taken (1) to protect people attending and working at the event and the local community from COVID-19 infection; and (2) to reduce community transmission and introductions of COVID-19 into new communities.

Furthermore, for the next 30 days, we are recommending that City events with more than 20 attendees be postponed to date uncertain to allow an opportunity to evaluate extent of the COVID-19 impacts to the community. In an abundance of caution, the City has decided to cancel most public meetings for the next 30 days, a full list of events including and their status can be found on www.CityofTorranceCA.com/ COVID-19-Info.html.

***Edited 3/13/20
On March 13, the Superintendent of the Los Angeles County Department of Education directed ALL LA County schools close for students effective Monday, March 16, 2020 until March 27, 2020.

During the existence of this local emergency, powers, functions, and duties of the City of Torrance will be those prescribed by state law, state executive orders, the City Charter, ordinances, and resolutions of the City of Torrance. Torrance’s Emergency Operation Center is currently open at level 1 and a Joint Incident Communications Center has been formed between the City, Torrance Fire Department, Torrance Police Department, and local hospitals.