Local, state and federal Public Health Officials have advised that the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) presents a serious risk to public health and safety in that it may result in serious illness or death, and is transmissible from person to person. In addition, local, state and national emergencies have been declared, and the World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 as a pandemic.
The health, safety and welfare of Rocklin residents, businesses, visitors and staff is of utmost importance to the City and additional future measures may be needed to protect the community from the threat of COVID-19. As such, the City Manager in his capacity as the Director of Emergency Services for the City of Rocklin, consistent with the authority granted to him under Rocklin Municipal Code sections 2.32.020 and 2.32.060, issued a Proclamation of a Local Emergency on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, at 9:00 a.m.
The proclamation of a local emergency does not signify an increased risk to the residents of Rocklin. The proclamation of a local emergency allows the City to utilize and provide mutual aid, secure additional resources, and potentially obtain reimbursement for activities related to the emergency from state and federal sources.
Placer County declared a local health emergency and a local emergency March 3 to ensure public health professionals have all necessary tools at their disposal to keep the community safe from COVID-19. California Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a statewide emergency on March 4, and President Trump declared a national emergency on March 13.
Proclaiming a local emergency allows the City of Rocklin to align with state emergency management and to leverage local, state, and federal resources to contain the spread of COVID-19. The declaration of a local emergency comes as local, state, and federal governments are working to control the spread of COVID-19 across the country, reduce the impact on hospital systems and protect the most vulnerable.