Yesterday, the State of California provided its weekly update on the Blueprint for a Safer Economy framework. This framework lays out the measures that each county must meet, based on indicators that capture disease burden, testing, and health equity on a weekly basis. Marin’s September 22nd assessment allows us to remain in Tier 2 (red status). As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be an evolving situation...
Yesterday, Marin County was cleared to take another step forward in reopening following an appeal to the California Department of Public Health. Based on the most recent local coronavirus metrics, the State of California has downgraded the risk level assigned to Marin from "widespread" to "substantial," which allows more doors to open in businesses and schools. The primary changes allowed under the state order as...
September is National Preparedness Month and it serves as a reminder to take action to prepare, now and throughout the year, for any types of emergencies that could affect us where we live, work, or learn. We kicked off the month with a Wildfire Safety Forum, answering some great questions sent in by the community, if you haven’t seen it—it's...
This past week Public Works Streets and Parks Maintenance staff installed 6 new outdoor dining areas in parking spaces in front of businesses along 4th Street. The barricades, planters, and plants were funded by TAM’s Quick Build Grant – a Measure AA funded grant program designed to aid local businesses during the pandemic by building...
The Parks Division has had a very busy couple of weeks. The Parks crew devised a creative solution to beautify an empty planter bed in front of Johnny Doughnuts. The Parks Division also assisted the San Rafael Police Department with the clean up of another large homeless encampment. Parks Division crew members Valente Curiel, Jorge...
Living in the Bay Area can feel especially tough these days, from the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, wildfires throughout the state, unhealthy air, and a general anxiety throughout the nation. Though we may feel overwhelmed by all this, it is important to take care of ourselves and our loved ones. Today is Thursday, September 10th—World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD). Each year, suicide claims more lives than war, murder, and natural disasters...
The National Weather Service issued an Excessive Heat Warning that’s been extended through September 9th. Forecasters predict a prolonged period of potentially dangerous heat across the Bay Area and Central Coast. A Red Flag Warning means warm temperatures combined with low humidity and strong winds are expected to produce an increased risk of fire danger. Tier 2 Status...
Three cooling centers open in Marin due to excessive heat With predicted triple-digit temperatures over the next few days, the California State Warning Center has issued a statewide excessive heat warning through Monday, September 7. These conditions could also increase the possibility of Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) early next week. In response, three Cooling...
To expedite the process for resolving business violations of the Shelter-in-Place Order, each jurisdiction has set up a way to report these violations, instead of being triaged by the County. This will allow cities and towns to respond faster to the complaints. To report a business violation in San Rafael please email SIPviolations@cityofsanrafael.org and include the following information: Business name Address...
Air quality in Marin is fluctuating with the direction of the winds, so continue to keep doors and windows closed when you can, and check AirNow to determine the quality of the air in your zip code. CalFire's website continues to be inundated with visitors, forcing it to crash. Their Facebook page and Twitter remain the best ways to access the most up-to-date information about evacuations and wildfire spread around the greater...
Where to begin? Following severe lightning storms, wildfires are active statewide, many with evacuation orders in place. Smoke and ash from the Woodward Fire, Hennessey Fire, and other regional fires have impacted our air quality here in Marin. AirNow provides reports about the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Quality Index (AQI). Search your zip code to see the quality of the...
It’s no secret that COVID-19 is dynamic, from how long the virus lives on various surfaces to the level at which some are affected by the virus compared to others. It can feel complex and exhausting in the ways in which we must be on guard to protect ourselves and others at all times. COVID-19 safety measures, including wearing a mask, are still more important than...
Yesterday morning, the Marin County Board of Supervisors passed an urgency ordinance that enhances enforcement efforts of the Public Health Order. The idea of this urgency ordinance is not to issue citations without warnings to individuals and businesses; in fact, it allows for a grace period so a notice of violation can be issued before issuing a citation. Education and awareness is preferred prior to issuing citations. The penalty for individuals would be between $25 and $500. For businesses, it...
Marin County Public Health and Marin County Office of Education presented a recommendation to implement a phased-in, hybrid approach to learning for the fall K-12 semester. The gradual approach will include distance learning along with small in-person groups. Following the guidance of Marin Public Health, individual districts will determine when it is appropriate to bring small groups of children into the classroom....
Due to a rise in COVID-19 cases, Governor Gavin Newsom is requiring several industries and activities to shut down immediately unless they can be modified to operate outside or by pick-up. Indoor industry closures effective IMMEDIATELY across the entire state include: Dine-in restaurants Wineries and tasting rooms Movie theaters Family entertainment centers (such as: bowling alleys, miniature golf, batting...
The coronavirus pandemic is not a wildfire, it’s incomparable to a natural disaster confined in time and space; it has affected many aspects of our daily lives, including turning a simple task like going to the grocery store into a possibly nerve-wracking experience for some and simply unsafe for the more vulnerable members of our community (this includes anyone over the...
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) created a “watch list” for counties whose COVID-19 data has raised concerns regarding spikes in COVID-19 cases within their communities. Indicators raising concern are things like, community spread, increased hospitalization, and limited hospital capacity. Marin County was added to the State’s watch list for all three indicators on July 3rd. The State recommends the following actions to address the drivers that originally placed Marin on this watch list: ...
We are seeing a sharp rise in cases of COVID-19 in Marin. With the 4th of July right around the corner, COVID-19 has altered many plans from travel, to family gatherings, to firework shows. Many local shows, events, and parades have been cancelled to avoid large group gatherings. Local first responders are planning for a potential influx of visitors, especially to Marin’s coastal communities. Get creative this...
The County of Marin has decided to suspend many of the reopening guidelines for the June 29th reopening because of the recent spike in COVID-19 positive cases. According to the testing data on Marin Health and Human Services data and surveillance page, Marin County has seen a spike in cases, currently with 12 hospitalizations. Industries still permitted to open June 29th : Hair Salons / Barber...
Starting tomorrow evening, Thursday from 5—9 p.m., “Dining Under the Lights” will begin, sponsored by the Downtown Business Improvement District as a way to support our local restaurants and help people get back to work. An on-street, socially distanced dining experience, the program will take place every Thursday this summer. If you decide to head out to Fourth Street...
Welcome back to another week, we hope you were able to enjoy your weekend. Last Friday, the County of Marin issued a press about Social Bubbles, as well as, additional reopening guidelines that will go into effect on Monday June 29th. With the completion of and compliance with a Site-Specific Protection Plan, many more of our businesses will be able to reopen and restaurants can offer indoor seating (at reduced occupancies), which...
Have you heard? Marin County Schools will be back in session for Fall 2020. On Thursday, June 18th the County of Marin released the news with details for a safe return to in-classroom learning. Through a collaboration between Dr. Matt Willis, Marin County Public Health and Mary Jane Burke, Marin County Superintendent of Schools, a 30-point safety protocol structure was created. The Marin Office of Education (MCOE) created a...
Due to the lingering effects of Covid-19, the Downtown Summer San Rafael Farmers Market held on Fourth Street will not be occurring this Summer. The City of San Rafael and the Agricultural Institute of Marin (AIM) look forward to resuming the market in 2021. We will miss seeing everyone’s smiling (masked) faces this summer! However,...
Shops and restaurants are expanding their operations to offer indoor retail (starting today) and outdoor dining on sidewalks and parking spaces. If you don’t have any plans this weekend, consider taking a stroll downtown to experience new shopping and dining options and support our San Rafael businesses. Many of the products you need can be purchased right here in San Rafael. We recently installed more bike racks throughout...
WATCH VIDEO San Rafael restaurants are excited to bring more outdoor dining to the community and we’re excited to be helping them hit the ground running! We created new, free permit types to accommodate businesses who want to use the sidewalk, plaza, or parking space in front of their business for outdoor dining and retail. Interested in dining outside at one of your favorite San Rafael restaurants? Not...
This week, we worked with various City departments to create a free and automatic temporary encroachment permit that will allow businesses to use the sidewalk or plaza space in front of their business for outdoor dining or retail. Next week we plan to offer businesses the option to use parking spaces in front of their businesses as an additional outdoor dining location option. In addition, we’re building a crowd-sourced restaurant map so diners can easily find...
We know how important it is for our San Rafael Businesses to reopen, so we’ve partnered with the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Business Improvement District to support our incredible business community as best as possible. Over the weekend we created a free and automatic temporary permit process for businesses to use the sidewalk space in front of their...
Progress continues! New guidelines have been posted to Marin Recovers allowing additional businesses (that follow specific criteria) to reopen Monday, June 1, 2020, including, outdoor retail, office space, outdoor dining, and curbside library services. We'll be working to open our Downtown and Pickleweed libraries for curbside pickup beginning Wednesday, June 3rd - stay tuned! Additionally, more parks and beaches will be opening up to motorized access on June 1st. Marin County Parks has curated...
Access to COVID-19 testing continues to increase in our community. In the past three weeks, Marin County has nearly tripled its testing capability. Widespread testing is a crucial step in containing the virus and moving us forward on our path towards recovery. Anyone who is feeling sick should get tested. Also, even if you aren’t experiencing symptoms, it’s recommended that you get tested if you were exposed...
It’s Memorial Day Weekend! Disappointed that you won’t be able to attend the annual Memorial Day Ceremony in-person this year? Don’t worry—event organizers have moved the ceremony online so you can participate safely from your home. Hop onto the Marin County United Veteran’s Council Facebook page to watch the ceremony live at 8:30 AM on Monday, May 25. If you miss the live viewing, it will be replayed later...
