Update #10
COVID-19 Threats
March 23, 2020 - 7 pm
Let's Get Through This Sooner Rather Than Later!
Please Do Your Part!

City Council Ratifies Emergency Declaration, Implements Protections for Tenants, Prohibits Price Gouging

City and Other Agencies Continue To Provide Essential Services
City officials continue to closely monitor developments associated with COVID-19 (coronavirus), and continue efforts to prepare for an escalation of the COVID-19 threat in Big Bear Lake. City officials remain in regular communications with San Bernardino County public health officials and local health care providers, and rely exclusively on their expertise and guidance relative to the public health risks and recommendations applicable to Big Bear Lake.
THIS IS THE OFFICIAL GUIDANCE FROM THE CITY OF BIG BEAR LAKE
The City of Big Bear Lake is working hard to ensure that the residents, property owners, investors, businesses, and visitors in our community have the correct information about the status of COVID-19 threats in Big Bear Lake and the City's response to these threats. This email newsletter is the official guidance from the City of Big Bear Lake, and the City appreciates everyone's adherence to the restrictions and recommendations outlined herein.
 
To be sure you are receiving the latest and most accurate information, please sign up for this email newsletter at https://www.citybigbearlake.com/index.php/newsroom/text-email-notifications . PLEASE share this email newsletter with anyone and everyone, as we want to reach as many people as possible with this information. Thank you!
LET'S GET THROUGH THIS SOONER RATHER THAN LATER!
PLEASE DO YOUR PART!
Although it seems like it's been much longer, it's now been 11 days since COVID-19 began to significantly disrupt everyone's everyday lives. Of course, this disruption and inconvenience pales in comparison to the experience of those afflicted with COVID-19 and their families, and it's important for all of us in Big Bear Lake to recognize that our individual actions may significantly impact someone else - in both positive and negative ways. We all have a responsibility to each other to act responsibly and heed the recommendations of public health officials, and the more diligent we all are, the quicker we will all get through this crisis.

The inconvenience is already here, the economic harm is already significant, and the worry about the future continues. We can't undo the events of the past 11 days, but we can ALL do our part to keep our neighbors safe, resolve this crisis, and get back to normal sooner rather than later. PLEASE do your part, and:

  • heed the Governor's order to "shelter in place", and don't go out unless you absolutely have to do so,

  • limit your interactions with others to the maximum extent practical, and don't invite large groups to shelter in place with you,

  • plan your essential trips out accordingly, and limit the number of trips to the grocery store, drug store, etc.,

  • keep at least 6 feet of distance between you and others you come into contact with,

  • wash your hands ALL THE TIME, and

  • if you need to get outside, take a walk, go for a run, take a bike ride, or go on a hike by yourself or with your family - but stay far way from others!
CITY COUNCIL RATIFIES EMERGENCY DECLARATION, IMPLEMENTS PROTECTIONS FOR TENANTS, PROHIBITS PRICE GOUGING
Earlier today, the City Council formally ratified the City Manager's initial emergency declaration, and received an update from City staff and other officials on the City's COVID-19 efforts to date. City Council also discussed potential future actions to resolve the crisis and mitigate the economic harm in the community.

The new emergency declaration adopted by the Council includes several key provisions, including protections for residential and commercial tenants that are harmed by the COVID-19 crisis. The Council-adopted resolution establishes a temporary moratorium (60 days) on eviction for non-payment of rent by residential and commercial tenants impacted by COVID-19. It is important to note that the tenant is still liable for payment of rent (within 6 months after the emergency), but the landlord may not evict the tenant or charge late fees if the economic hardship is caused by COVID-19. The new emergency declaration also makes it unlawful for businesses to engage in price gouging, and prohibits charging prices more than 10% higher than normal for goods and services.
CITY AND OTHER AGENCIES CONTINUE TO PROVIDE ESSENTIAL SERVICES
In response to Governor Newsom's "shelter in place" order and the confirmation of the first case of COVID-19 in Big Bear Lake, the City has adjusted its operations to essential services and essential personnel only. City staff will continue to maintain critical infrastructure and perform essential services, however, other services will be temporarily suspended.

The City will continue to provide the following essential services while the COVID-19 threats persist:

  • COVID-19 emergency response,

  • COVID-19 public communications,

  • law enforcement (through SB County Sheriff's Department),

  • code enforcement,

  • fire suppression and emergency medical services (through the Big Bear Fire Department),

  • snow removal,

  • public water supply (through the DWP),

  • wastewater collection,

  • solid waste collection (through Big Bear Disposal),

  • City buildings and facilities maintenance,

  • building inspections, and

  • critical street maintenance.

City Hall remains open for essential services and essential personnel, and essential City staff are available for telephone - (909) 866-5832 - and email inquiries.

The City will resume normal operations after the COVID-19 threat has passed.
FLEXIBLE RESCHEDULING OPTIONS AND CREDITS AVAILABLE FOR VISITORS
The City of Big Bear Lake and Visit Big Bear encourage all of our visitors to be safe and "shelter in place" in your home community.

Big Bear Lake lodging establishments and vacation rental companies understand the significance of this crisis, and are offering flexible rescheduling options, credits, and more to make your future visit to Big Bear Lake as enjoyable as possible. Please contact your lodging provider or vacation rental company to reschedule your visit.

We'll be back stronger than ever after the COVID-19 threat has passed, and we look forward to hosting you as soon as it's safe for you, your family, and our community!
LODGING FACILITIES AND VACATION RENTALS MAY NOT OPERATE,
OWNERS OF SECOND HOMES MAY UTILIZE THEIR HOMES
In response to the Governor's "shelter in place" order, and after receiving additional clarification, the City and San Bernardino County (which has authority over all other areas in Big Bear Valley not in the City limits) have both enacted restrictions on lodging facilities and vacation rentals.

Lodging facilities and vacation rentals may only operate under the following circumstances:

  • to provide accommodations for critical infrastructure workers,

  • if specifically designated by the State or County to house confirmed COVID-19 patients (currently not the case and highly unlikely in the future), and

  • to serve existing guests who were already here prior to today, provided these existing guests "shelter in place" at the lodging facility or vacation rental.

To report a violation of this order, please call (909) 866-CODE.

It is important to note that the second home owners, including those who also participate in the City's vacation rental program, are permitted to occupy the home themselves and are not subject to the City's vacation rental regulations.
KEY RESTRICTIONS REMAIN IN EFFECT IN BIG BEAR LAKE
The following key restrictions remain in effect in Big Bear Lake:
 
  • everyone in Big Bear Lake is directed to "shelter in place", especially those age 65 and older and those who are especially vulnerable to COVID-19, however, travel is permitted for work and to conduct personal business,
 
  • grocery stores, drug stores, and other essential retail and service businesses may operate,
 
  • construction and repair activities may continue,
 
  • bars, nightclubs, movie theaters, gyms, bowling alleys, ski areas, snow play areas, and other similar businesses may not operate,
 
  • restaurants are closed for in-restaurant seated dining, however, take-out and delivery services are permitted,
 
  • lodging and vacation rentals may no longer operate, except for situations described above,
 
  • non-essential group gatherings of any size are prohibited, including commercial establishments, churches, community groups, and other formal and informal group activities, and
 
  • isolated, outdoor exercise is permitted, including walking your dog.
MOUNTAIN TRANSIT ADJUSTS SERVICE SCHEDULE, SUSPENDS FARES
Mountain Transit has adjusted service due to COVID-19, but continues to offer limited fixed-route and dial-a-ride service to ensure that transportation is available to those with essential needs during this crisis. All fares have been suspended. For more information, please visit http://mountaintransit.org/ or call (909) 878-5200.
PLEASE DON'T FLUSH DISINFECTING WIPES, PAPER TOWELS, OR FLUSHABLE WIPES DOWN THE TOILET - THROW THEM AWAY INSTEAD
The Big Bear Area Regional Wastewater Agency (BBARWA) encourages everyone to clean surfaces with disinfecting wipes to reduce the spread of COVID-19, however, it is important to discard those items in a sealed trash bag and not the toilet.  

Flushing disinfecting wipes, flushable wipes, paper towels, and similar products down toilets will clog sewer mainlines and cause backups and overflows at our treatment plant, creating an additional public health risk in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though the package says “flushable”, flushable wipes clog pipes and interfere with sewage collection. Wipes and paper towels do not break down like toilet paper. Please throw these items in a sealed trash bag instead! 
PLEASE SEAL TRASH BAGS APPROPRIATELY TO PREVENT SPREAD OF COVID-19
The presence of COVID-19 has raised concerns about the proper disposal of materials that may be exposed to the virus. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends routine procedures for managing solid waste potentially exposed to COVID-19, and the City urges everyone to follow these recommendations. 
 
Cleaning and disinfecting activities in homes, businesses, and other non-healthcare locations (such as hotels, schools, and other facilities) will generate solid waste, including used facemasks, gloves, disposable wipes, paper towels, disposal clothing, and similar materials potentially exposed to the virus. 
As a general rule, treat personal protective equipment, cleaning and disinfection waste, and other materials that may have been exposed to the virus as general solid waste. This material, however, should be sealed in a trash bag, tied shut, and placed with regular trash. These materials will be collected by City's franchisee, Big Bear Disposal, and transferred to transfer stations or directly trucked for disposal. The sealed trash bags will ultimately be disposed of in landfills that are permitted to accept municipal solid waste.
 
Please help us keep our solid waste collection employees safe!
ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES
The Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to California small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of COVID-19. Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela . Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance.
ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FOR DISPLACED EMPLOYEES
Local employees displaced due to the impact of COVID-19 may be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits, disability insurance, and/or paid family leave through the California Employment Development Department. To learn more, please visit https://www.edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019/faqs.htm .
HELPFUL RESOURCES
The Centers for Disease Control website includes a wealth of information at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html .
 
The San Bernardino County Department of Public Health includes information specific to our county at http://wp.sbcounty.gov/dph/coronavirus/ .
Stay Informed!
Sign up for City of BBL Updates,
Visit Our Other Digital Platforms
The City of Big Bear Lake strives to keep our residents, property owners, investors, businesses, and visitors well-informed about the City's issues and initiatives - including the COVID-19 threat - with an emphasis on information specific to Big Bear Lake and the entire Big Bear Valley.
 
The easiest way to stay-informed is to sign up for the City's email newsletter and other updates. It's easy to sign up - simply visit https://www.citybigbearlake.com/ and click on "Text & Email Notifications" in the top center of the homepage. Simply click on the link, enter your name and email address, and you're all set. Signing up will ensure that you receive periodic updates about COVID-19 in Big Bear Lake, the City's new monthly newsletter - Elevation 6752', and other special communications from the City of Big Bear Lake for emergency situations, special events, and more.
 
In addition to the City's email updates, you can also get the latest information from the City of Big Bear Lake via the following digital platforms:
 

  • "Like" us on Facebook - City of Big Bear Lake
 
  • Follow us on Twitter - @CityofBBL
 
  • Follow us on Instagram - @citybigbearlake
 
 
Please help us spread the word, and share the City's digital communications platforms with your family, friends, other residents, property owners, frequent visitors, or anyone else who is interested in Big Bear Lake. Thank you!
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City of Big Bear Lake
39707 Big Bear Blvd. PO Box 10000, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
Phone: (909) 866-5831 | Fax: (909) 866-5491