7 months of COVID-19: Berkeley reports impacts, lessons learned
The city manager’s office will present a report outlining the city’s multi-departmental response to COVID-19.
In brief
City of Berkeley
Top Stories
As COVID-19 cases decline, elementary schools and some other services may re-open with restrictions
The city is increasing testing availability to help schools open as soon as Oct. 13. Nail salons, tattoo parlors and other personal services may open Oct. 9.
Berkeley seeks residents’ help to simplify zoning documents
Berkeley’s zoning rules are complicated and daunting to the average reader. The city wants to make it easier to understand the laws.
Recent stories
Berkeley may start fining people $100 when they don’t wear face masks
Currently, the city must seek a criminal prosecution to do anything other than warn people to wear masks. A proposed ordinance will allow officials to hand out an administrative citation instead.
New Berkeley health order allows outdoor dining, retail, religious and fitness activities — but caution urged
As more movement happens, people should still limit activities and contacts and wear face coverings
Retail, outdoor dining, religious services, more, allowed starting June 19
Residents must continue to limit contact with people outside their social bubble, maintain physical distance and wear face coverings.
Berkeley to paint Black Lives Matter ‘mural’ on downtown street
Berkeley will be getting its own version of a Black Lives Matter street mural, probably on Milvia Street in front of City Hall, and likely completed this week.
Berkeley expands face covering requirements, effective June 8
Everyone must carry a cloth face covering when they leave home, have it visible at all times, and put it on when others are nearby.
Child care, camps available to more workers under latest shelter-in-place order
A May 18 order from Berkeley’s health officer permitting a broad range of people to return to workplaces also allows them to use child care or summer camps, both of which are required to use disease prevention guidelines
City sets up hand-washing stations to help homeless, others avoid coronavirus
City workers also knocked on tents and talked to people to hand out 560 kits with hand sanitizer and information about COVID-19.
Can an unfinished but ‘usable’ basement space be taxed? Berkeley says ‘yes’ and the courts have agreed
A number of property owners are challenging how the city assesses special taxes. They believe they have been overcharged and are seeking redress.
City of Berkeley missing from state salary database due to ‘non-compliant’ report
Berkeley is among nine cities in California that filed “non-compliant” reports with the state for 2018.
