Update
#52
COVID-19 Emergency
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No New Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in City of Big Bear Lake in Past 13 Days
COVID-19 Hospitalizations, Ventilator Use Remain Constant
Lodging, Vacation Rentals Now Advised to Block Out Reservations Through May 14
Committee Finalizes Recommended Reopening Plan, Does Not Include Closing Streets in The Village
City Council Set to Meet In Person on Monday, Public Can View and Participate Remotely
New Guidance Expected from Governor Newsom Tomorrow
San Bernardino County Planning Business Grant Program to Support COVID-Compliant Businesses
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THIS IS THE OFFICIAL GUIDANCE FROM THE CITY OF BIG BEAR LAKE
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The City of Big Bear Lake is working hard to ensure that the residents, second home 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.
This email newsletter also serves as the City's official press release regarding the City's COVID-19 response, and press inquiries may be directed to Frank A. Rush, Jr., City Manager, at 909-866-5832 or via
email.
To be sure you are receiving the latest and most accurate information, please sign up for this email newsletter by clicking
here
. PLEASE share this email newsletter with anyone and everyone, as we want to reach as many people as possible with this information. Thank you!
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NO NEW CONFIRMED COVID-19 CASES IN CITY OF BIG BEAR LAKE IN LAST 13 DAYS
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There are still a total of
8 confirmed cases in Big Bear Valley, with a total of
5 confirmed cases in the City of Big Bear Lake and
3 in unincorporated areas outside the City limits.
There have been no new cases in the City of Big Bear Lake in the past
13
days, and only 2 new cases since April 2.
The County reports a total of
2,432 confirmed cases in San Bernardino County. A total of
26,006 tests have been administered thus far in the County, with
9.4% testing positive for COVID-19. Sadly, a total of
104 people have now died from COVID-19 in San Bernardino County. Thankfullly, there are
0 deaths reported for the Big Bear Valley.
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COVID-19 HOSPITALIZATIONS, VENTILATOR USE REMAIN CONSTANT
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City officials continue to track the County's data regarding hospital bed and ventilator availability in our County, and
this data is now perhaps the most important data to consider as we move forward on the COVID-19 issue.
County data suggests that COVID-19 remains manageable in our area, as
COVID-19 hospitalizations and ventilator use continue to remain relatively constant. Thankfully, hospitals in San Bernardino County are not overburdened by COVID-19, and are functioning in a relatively normal manner.
According to the County, there are a total of
259 patients hospitalized with confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19.
The number of patients hospitalized has generally remained in the 250 - 350 range since April 1, with a peak of 451 on April 10. The County reports a total of 1,199 "surge capacity" beds (the number of additional beds a hospital could provide if all available space was needed) in the County, and there are approximately 6,000 total hospital beds in the County.
There are a total of
69 patients in intensive care, and
146 intensive care beds are still available.
The number of ICU patients has generally remained in the 75 - 125 range since April 1, with a peak of 124 on April 10. There are a total of
289 ventilators in use in the County, and an additional
554 ventilators still available.
This number has remained steady in the 300 range since April 1.
Bear Valley Community Hospital and Big Bear Fire / EMS officials continue to report generally lower patient and call volumes than typical for this time of year, which remains a good sign for our community. Bear Valley Community Hospital is equipped with 30+ hospital beds and 7 ventilators.
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LODGING, VACATION RENTALS NOW ADVISED TO BLOCK OUT RESERVATIONS THROUGH MAY 14
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In accordance with Governor Newsom's and County public health officials' orders,
the City is now advising lodging facilities and vacation rentals to block out all dates through May 14.
The City continues to work with County officials to ease the restrictions on lodging facilities and vacation rentals, and is hopeful that these business activities may resume, in some fashion, and that the City will again welcome visitors beginning on May 15. Additional information will be provided in the City's future COVID-19 updates.
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COMMITTEE FINALIZES RECOMMENDED REOPENING PLAN, DOES NOT INCLUDE CLOSING STREETS IN THE VILLAGE
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The City Council-appointed ad hoc committee tasked with reviewing, adjusting, and improving the City's April 27 draft proposal for reopening Big Bear Lake has completed its work, and the committee's recommendations will be presented to City Council for consideration on May 11.
The City continues to be dependent on Governor Newsom and San Bernardino County to delegate authority for the City to implement its own restrictions, but is working hard to be prepared if / when that authority is granted. The City continues to work closely with County officials on this issue, and is confident that our community can reopen in a
safe, responsible manner if / when granted authority. If approved by the City Council, the City would implement the committee's recommended plan upon approval of the Governor and/or the County.
The committee's recommended plan includes the
following key provisions:
- allows all businesses to operate in Big Bear Lake at 50% occupancy initially, with 6 ft. separation between patrons,
- allows 50% of lodging units in each facility to be occupied, along with 50% of all available vacation rental units (regardless of whether they are managed by a company or an individual),
- allows restaurants to operate at 50% of permitted indoor / outdoor occupancy, with 6 ft. separation,
- all businesses would implement "best practices" developed by local business leaders, industry experts, trade associations, and licensing boards,
- requires everyone to maintain 6 ft. separation from others, and also requires everyone to carry face coverings on their person for required use when interacting with others,
- overnight visitors would be encouraged to either bring food and supplies from their home community and/or patronize local restaurants, and
- the Big Bear Chamber of Commerce would work with local businesses to establish special programs for seniors and vulnerable residents.
The committee ultimately decided not to recommend closing Pine Knot Ave. and Village Dr. in The Village or to recommend allowing additional outdoor restaurant seating and outdoor merchandise displays at this time. The committee expressed interest in this idea, and asked City Council to consider these ideas in the future if helpful in promoting 6 ft. separation and
promoting expanded business opportunities.
City Council will review the committee's recommendations at its meeting on May 11, and a link to the Council agenda, all supporting information, and the committee's recommended plan will be included in Friday's COVID-19 update from the City.
As has been the case for the past two months,
things change quickly and often with regard to COVID-19. The City's reopening plan reflects a
deliberate, thoughtful, inclusive effort by our community to reopen in a safe, responsible manner, and will be implemented if / when authority is delegated by the Governor and/or the County.
The City is well-prepared to act NOW if / when allowed, as we are anxious to restore our local economy in a safe manner. At the same time, Governor Newsom continues to adjust State-wide restrictions, and has also created a mechanism by which San Bernardino County may secure authority to implement looser restrictions. The City continues to closely monitor actions by both the Governor and San Berardino County, and may ultimately "mesh" evolving State and County restrictions with the City's reopening plan.
One way or the other, it appears that Big Bear Lake is on the verge of reopening very soon!
The City greatly appreciates the time, expertise, and insights of the 9 committee members who developed the committee's recommendation that will be considered by City Council on Monday. The committee met 3 times in the past 5 days, and made several improvements to the original proposal.
THANK YOU!
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CITY COUNCIL SET TO MEET IN PERSON ON MONDAY, PUBLIC CAN VIEW AND PARTICIPATE REMOTELY
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The City Council will meet in person on Monday, May 11 at 6:30 pm for the first time in two months. The Council will meet in person at City Hall, with maximum separation between each member and City staff, to conduct the City's business, and this meeting represents an important milestone for the City.
The public will not be able to attend the meeting in person, however, the meeting will be live on Channel 182 and the City's website, and the public will have the opportunity to comment remotely during the meeting. The agenda, supporting materials, and instructions for public comment will be made available on Friday, and information will be included in Friday's COVID-19 update from the City.
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NEW GUIDANCE EXPECTED FROM GOVERNOR NEWSOM TOMORROW
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Governor Newsom plans to loosen restrictions for several types of businesses on Friday, but has not yet communicated specific details. The City expects to learn these details tomorrow, and will implement these changes in Big Bear Lake on Friday. These changes will be communicated in the City's COVID-19 updates on Thursday or Friday.
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SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY PLANNING BUSINESS GRANT PROGRAM TO SUPPORT COVID-COMPLIANT BUSINESSES
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San Bernardino County officials are planning a County-wide, $30 million grant program to assist small businesses with expenses associated with reopening in a safe, "COVID-Compliant" manner.
The grant program will be available to Big Bear Lake businesses, and is expected to assist small businesses with costs associated with PPE, disinfectants, hygiene supplies, and more in order to promote public health and safety as the economy is reopened. The City will include additional details about this new grant program in future COVID-19 updates.
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BEWARE OF COVID-19 SCAMS!
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RESTAURANTS, SENIORS CAN NOW SIGN UP FOR MEAL DELIVERY
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Governor Newsom recently announced the launch of the "Great Plates Delivered" program. This program will provide adults 65 and older and adults 60-64 who are at high-risk from COVID-19 with
three (3) nutritious meals a day
to help keep them safe at home and healthy, and also provides
economic assistance to local restaurants
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The Great Plates Delivered Program is administered by San Bernardino County
. Individuals with questions regarding how the program works and eligibility can find answers
here
. To enroll in the program, eligible individuals should call (888) 743-1485. Information on the program for Big Bear Lake restaurants interested in participating can be found
here
. Restaurants interested in participating should submit their interest to
mary.bernal@hss.sbcounty.gov
.
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Stay Informed!
Sign up for City of BBL Updates,
Visit Our Other Digital Platforms
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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
the City's website
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:
- Visit our website by clicking here
- "Like" us on Facebook - City of Big Bear Lake
- Follow us on Twitter - @CityofBBL
- Follow us on Instagram - @citybigbearlake
- Sign up for text message alerts by clicking here .
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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Frank A. Rush, Jr., City Manager
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
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