Due to concerns expressed by Lafayette residents, Lafayette Mayor Mike Anderson, working with Lafayette Police Chief Ben Alldritt and Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jay Lifson, wishes to clarify which businesses are allowed to remain open in the City of Lafayette during the duration of the Public Health Order issued by Country Costa County on March 16. The Order, which also requires residents to stay in their homes except to conduct Essential Activities, is in effect until April 7, 2020.
The Lafayette Police Department will be monitoring the operation of Essential Businesses. Should you have any concerns about a business that is operating during this period, please call the Contra Costa County Call Center at 1-844-729-8410. If a violation is identified within the City of Lafayette, the Lafayette Police Department will follow-up. To read a full list of “Essential Businesses” and “Essential Activities,” and other definitions of the March 16 Order, please click HERE.
Below is a summary of “Essential Businesses” that are allowed to function, according to the Order:
- Healthcare operations and infrastructure (police, fire, hospitals, pharmacies, garbage/sanitation, utilities)
- Grocers, farmers’ markets, farm and produce stands, food banks, convenience stores, and other retailers selling food — including those that also sell products aside from food
- Take-out/delivery restaurants and food-delivery services
- Food cultivation businesses (farming, fishing)
- Businesses or organizations providing social services, food or shelter to the needy
- Hardware stores/plumbers/electricians and those who provide services necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences
- Newspapers, television, radio, and other media
- Gas stations and auto-related businesses, including repair shops
- Banks and financial institutions
- Shipping and mailing businesses
- Educational institutions to provide distance learning and other essential functions
- Laundry services (laundromats, dry-cleaning companies)
- Businesses that supply people with items required to work from home, or businesses that supply essential businesses with necessary supplies
- Businesses that ship groceries and supplies directly to homes
- Public transportation, airlines, taxis, and private transportation services
- Home-based and residential care for seniors, adults, and children
- Legal and accounting services that keep businesses in compliance
- Childcare facilities, with certain stipulations, like only having groups of 12 kids together at a time
- Cemeteries
In summary, Mayor Anderson stated, “I want to thank Lafayette residents and businesses for their cooperation and patience during these extraordinary times. All of us are confronting hardships in complying with this critical Public Health Order. However, as we always do, I have seen Lafayette residents and businesses coming together to support each other, help each other, and do everything we can to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our city. Let’s all do what we can, and I can assure you, that the City staff will be working to keep essential services functioning throughout the duration of the County’s Public Safety order. Again, thank you for making ours a model city, even in such trying times.”
For additional information, please refer to the County’s Public Health Stay Home Order FAQ information sheet at http://bit.ly/CountyStayHomeInfo-03-17-20. For the latest information on the COVID-19 situation and how it affects Lafayette, please visit the City’s webpage at http://bit.ly/LafayetteCoronavirusInfo.
That last one — cemeteries. Shudder.