IE Business Daily Business news for the Inland Empire.
Riverside has declared a state of emergency, closing city hall, libraries and community centers for at least one week in response to the Coronavirus pandemic.
That action, which was announced Friday, will be reviewed weekly starting next Monday, according to a statement on the city’s website.
A list of closures will be available at www.riversideca.gov.
Most city employees will continue to work for their regular hours, although some are expected to be reassigned because of the closures. The emergency declaration will not affect police, fire and public utilities employees.
“This step is necessary and was not taken lightly,” Mayor Rusty Bailey said in the statement. “We must do our part to slow the potential spread of COVID-19 so that our medical facilities are not overwhelmed by more cases in the future.”
Riverside officials expect to cancel some public events at city facilities – which events aren’t specified – but online services, including permits and bill payments, will remain in place. Utilities will not be shut off until at least the end of April.
The emergency declaration will allow the city to buy supplies and equipment needed to fight the viral outbreak quicker, because the declaration removes the requirement to go out to bid. The city council is expected to approve the declaration today.
