South Lake Tahoe, CA- The City of South Lake Tahoe issued an emergency order this morning, giving the City power to issue administrative citations for people violating the Governor’s ‘stay at home’ order.
“We are taking this crisis seriously and it is important that those who don’t, know there can be consequences to ignoring the Governor’s orders,” said Interim City Manager Brad Kilger, “This is about keeping our community safe, and that’s what this City is going to do.”
At the special City Council meeting on March 25, City Council directed the Director of Emergency Services/Interim City Manager to issue an emergency order to authorize administrative citations and fines for violations of the Governor’s “stay at home” order. The City has been asking short-term rental owners to stop renting until further notice and this week El Dorado County issued the same directive.
This emergency order authorizes citations and fines to any person or business violating the ‘stay at home’ order, including non-essential businesses that are still open to the public, vacation home rental properties, hotels, motels, and campgrounds hosting guests, not in one of the categories allowed by the El Dorado County Directive, and visitors not in one of those categories staying at lodging facilities.
“The primary concern is safety here,” said Mayor Jason Collin, “We are going to do everything in our power to keep our residents safe. These are extraordinary times, and extraordinary measures, but we know these steps will ensure people stay healthy and South Lake Tahoe comes out stronger when this crisis is over.”
That order was clarified by the El Dorado County Directive to Shelter in Place and El Dorado County Directive issued March 24 regarding the use of lodging facilities.
The order allows a fine of $1,000 per day and each day of a violation could constitute a separate offense. City Council has asked for strict enforcement on this order so people should not expect a warning before receiving a citation.
“Please stay home and do your part to keep yourself, your loved ones and your neighbors safe,” said Collin, “We all have a responsibility to make sure we are not spreading COVID-19. We are stronger together, and safer apart.”
For more information on COVID-19 and California’s response visit the California Department of Public Health’s website.
A 24/7 Barton COVID-19 Health Line, 530.600.1999, has been established for the general public to call if experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness such as fever, coughing, sneezing, or shortness of breath. Health Line callers can ask questions and be scheduled for screening, testing and medical care at Barton’s referral-only respiratory screening center. This standalone facility was recently opened to provide a safe screening location, increasing access to services for those in need while minimizing exposure to others, if referred by a medical provider.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
BARTON HOSPITAL: https://www.bartonhealth.org/tahoe/coronavirus-update.aspx
EL DORADO COUNTY: https://www.edcgov.us/Government/hhsa/Pages/EDCCOVID-19.aspx
CDPH: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Immunization/ncov2019.aspx
CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html