Continuing the aggressive approach to protect public safety and provide relief to San Diegans amid COVID-19, on March 30 Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer issued an executive order declaring all City of San Diego employees as disaster service workers. The order also directed other actions including streamlining medical supply delivery, extending building permits and waiving fees. Joined by San Diego Police Department Chief David Nisleit, Fire-Rescue Chief Colin Stowell and Lifeguard Division Chief James Gartland, Faulconer discussed how the actions in the executive order better position City employees to mobilize in the fight against COVID-19. “This declaration is a proactive step that will give the City of San Diego the flexibility and capability to support the response to the coronavirus in our community,” said Faulconer. “It’s all hands on deck because it takes all of us to fight this virus, and that includes the City’s dedicated public servants.”
The executive order expands on the previous order issued on March 16 and goes into effect at 11:59 p.m. on March 30 and will continue through April 30, unless extended. In addition to the mandates outlined in the mayor’s previous executive order, County orders, and directives issued by the state, this executive order mandates the following within City limits:   • City Employees Designated Disaster Service Workers – Establishes the City of San Diego’s more than 11,000 employees as disaster service workers. Any disaster service worker, regardless of their formal classification or assignment as a City employee, can assist efforts that protect life and property, support the City’s Emergency Operations Center, and mitigate the effects of the emergency. • Streamlining Medical Supply Delivery – Trucks and other vehicles engaged in delivering medical supplies to health care operations are now exempt from having to comply with any City rules and regulations that limit the hours for such deliveries. This exemption was made for grocery stores in the Mayor’s previous executive order. • Parks and Beaches Remain Closed to Minimize Crowds – All parks, beaches, bays, trails, and boardwalks within City limits shall remain closed to the public.  • Business Tax Certificates and Building Permits – All Business Tax Certificates, and any business-related fees, permits, and assessments, will be deferred for up to 120 days. In addition, building permits and applications will remain open for an extended 180 days. • Residential and Commercial Eviction Relief – All landlords in the City shall comply with the eviction relief emergency ordinance adopted by the City Council on March 25. • Small Business Relief Fund – The Small Business Relief Fund, proposed by Mayor Faulconer and approved by the City Council last week, will reallocate City funds to provide grants and forgivable and low-interest loans to businesses of 100 employees or less. • City of San Diego Operations – ? Directs the San Diego Public Library department to make all 3D printers available to produce parts or equipment requested by the health care community. ? The City shall offer up all available City property, vacant and surplus, to the state for the surge capacity. ? The City will work with City lessees, with particular attention to businesses of 100 employees or less, on flexible lease payment arrangements. ? Continued moratorium on water and wastewater shutoffs for residents and businesses, and suspension of late payment penalties or fees for delinquent water and/or sewer bills.  
Faulconer also lauded recent actions by Baja California Gov. Jaime Bonilla and Tijuana Mayor Arturo González Cruz that included closing restaurants to limit gatherings. He also noted the overwhelming response to the San Diego Small Business Relief Fund, which opened to the public Friday and received more than 5,300 applications in just a few days. For information regarding COVID-19 cases and directives from the County of San Diego public health officials, please visit coronavirus-sd.com.
For the latest City operational updates and steps the public can take to help reduce the spread of the disease, please visit sandiego.gov/coronavirus.
More information on the State of California “Stay At Home” order, including what’s closed, what’s open and which industries are exempted by the state can be found on the California COVID-19 response website.