The Contra Costa County Office of Education announced Sunday that all school districts in the county will suspend classes beginning Monday, March 16.

The announcement also comes after Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order ensuring California public school districts retain state funding even in the event of physical closure. The order directs school districts to use those state dollars to fund distance learning and high quality educational opportunities, provide school meals and, as practicable, arrange for the supervision for students during school hours.

Here is the message from the Contra Costa County Office of Education:

After careful consideration and collaboration, all school districts in Contra Costa County have decided to suspend in-class instruction in their schools for a limited period in response to the COVID 19 outbreak – beginning Monday, March 16. Districts will decide whether to extend their closures based on the developing circumstances with the spread of the virus.

Districts include:

• Acalanes Union High School District
• Antioch Unified School District
• Canyon School District
• John Swett Unified School District
• Lafayette School District
• Martinez Unified School District
• Moraga School District
• Mt. Diablo Unified School District
• Orinda Union School District
• Pittsburg Unified School District
• San Ramon Valley Unified School District
• Walnut Creek School District
• West Contra Costa Unified School District

The following School Districts begin their two-week Spring Break starting Monday, March 16:

• Brentwood Union School District
• Liberty Union High School District
• Oakley Union Elementary School District
• Byron Union Elementary School District
• Knightsen Elementary School District

 Contra Costa Health Services Prohibits Mass Gatherings of 100+ People

On Saturday, the Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) will be announcing a mandatory order prohibiting public and private mass gatherings of 100 or more people.

The announcement will be made during a media briefing around 1:00 pm (check back for updates). The health officer’s goal is to firmly establish the critical need to reduce the spread of COVID-19 by eliminating crowds.

The new order from the CCHS health officer is posted at cchealth.org/coronavirus.

UPDATE — direct link to the order -click here

For purpose of this Order, except as forth below, the term “mass gathering” means an event or convening that brings together 100 or more individuals at the same time in a single room or single confined or enclosed space; including but not limited to an auditorium, theater, stadium, arena, event center, meeting hall, conference center, cafeteria, or any other confined indoor space or confined outdoor space. A confined outdoor space is an outdoor space that is enclosed by a fence, physical barrier or other structure.

Mass gatherings do not include normal operations at airports or other spaces where persons may be in transit; office environments, medical offices, hospitals, or clinics, classrooms, or congregate living separations, including dormitories and homeless encampments.

The move comes after earlier this week the Wold Health Organization says that the disease COVID-19, caused by coronavirus, is now classified as a pandemic.

On Tuesday Contra Costa Health Services issued social distancing social guidelines aimed at reducing the spread of COVID-19. The letter was issued by Anna Roth, Health Services Director and Chris Farnitano, Health Officer. — more info, click here.

Contra Costa County Issues Emergency Proclamation

Martinez, CA – The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution at its Board meeting on March 10, 2020 for a proclamation of a state of emergency in the County of Contra Costa to deal with the potential spread of novel coronavirus or COVID-19.

The proclamation states that “this Board found that due to the introduction of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), conditions of disaster or extreme peril to the safety of persons and property did exist in the County of Contra Costa commencing on or about March 3, 2020, and therefore the Board proclaimed the existence of a local emergency throughout this county. These conditions, by reason of their magnitude, are or are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of this County, and will require the combined forces of a mutual aid region or regions to combat.”

The proclamation states that “this Board requests the Governor of the State of California to proclaim the County of Contra Costa to be in a state of emergency.”

Board Chair, Supervisor Candace Andersen, said, “The new coronavirus or COVID-19 presents our community with a challenge. While I urge you to be prepared, it is certainly not a time to panic. Following our health officials’ guidelines will help prevent the spread of disease. The County and Contra Costa Health Services will continue to offer guidance and resources. Meanwhile, there is much each and everyone one of us can do to keep our families and communities well. It will take all of us working together.”

The Supervisors emphasized that “everyone plays an important role” as they unanimously voted for a county emergency proclamation that will allow our health department to mobilize county resources, accelerate emergency planning, streamline staffing, coordinate agencies across the county, allow for future reimbursement by the state and federal governments, and raise awareness about how everyone can prepare in the event that COVID-19 begins to spread in our community.

“The County and its health department will continue to work with multiple agencies and jurisdictions to keep residents informed during this local emergency,” said County Administrator David J. Twa. “We will continue to take appropriate steps to protect the safety and well being of our employees and the public. We encourage everyone to stay prepared.”

Visit cchealth.org/coronavirus for County Health officials’ latest guidance for the community and resources. For the latest updates, follow Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) on Twitter @CoCoHealth and on CCHS Facebook. Information is also available at www.contracosta.ca.gov.