LIVE: Updates on the COVID-19 situation in Berkeley

In response to the state’s surge in COVID-19 cases, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a regional stay-at-home order Thursday.

The announcement follows a seven day average of 15,121 reported COVID-19 cases. Newsom said all sectors, besides those operating as essential or in retail, will be closed in state regions where there are less than 15% Intensive Care Unit, or ICU, beds available.

Bay Area health officials responded Friday to the regional stay-at-home order in a press release, announcing the Bay Area will move to implement the order now rather than waiting for ICU bed availability to reach critical levels. Counties in the Bay Area implementing the regional stay-at-home order include Alameda County, Santa Clara County, San Francisco County, Marin County and Conta Costa County.

The press released added that Bay Area health officers will start implementing the regional stay-at-home order Sunday. The order will be in effect for Alameda County starting Monday and will last until Jan. 4, 2021.

UC Berkeley adopted a recommendation Tuesday to not use hand-held temperature monitors for building access screenings, in addition to seeing a small increase in positive COVID-19 cases.

Temperatures, however, will be screened with hand-held readers if required by public health orders or as a regulatory requirement, according to University Health Services, or UHS, spokesperson Tami Cate. UC Berkeley’s daily symptom screener will also continue to ask about temperatures, as it is one of the symptoms of COVID-19.

Cate noted that while the overall percentage of positive COVID-19 cases in the campus community is under 2%, there has been an “uptick in cases” in the past few weeks. On Wednesday, 11 positive cases were confirmed. This follows two instances of four positive cases from Nov. 23 and Nov. 27.

Campus UHS has collected a total of 66,108 tests and has reported a total of 261 positive cases of COVID-19, according to UC Berkeley’s coronavirus dashboard.

Since the beginning of the fall semester, UHS has reported a total of 120 COVID-19 positive cases.

Over the last seven days an average of 10 new positive cases of COVID-19 have been reported daily in Berkeley, according to the city’s COVID-19 dashboard.

Rates of positive cases have increased over the last month, and the city has also seen a total of 178 new positive cases reported over the last 30 days.

COVID-19 cases in California increased by 51.3% during the first week of November, the fastest growth since the pandemic began, Newsom said in a Monday COVID-19 update.

In accordance with state guidelines for “purple areas,” Berkeley is increasing restrictions. According to a city press release, dining, gyms, movie theaters and places of worship are no longer permitted to operate indoors but can continue outdoors.

Retail stores and shopping centers can stay open indoors at 25% capacity and grocery stores will operate at 50% capacity, according to a California Department of Public Health guide.

In response to a rapid increase in COVID-19 classes across the state, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and state public health officials placed Alameda County, as well as 40 other counties, in the most restrictive level of California’s reopening framework Monday.

The guidelines of this most restrictive level, the purple tier, must be met by Wednesday, according to an Alameda County Public Health Department press release.

Indoor gatherings, including in places of worship and fitness centers, will no longer be allowed. In addition, all retail and shopping centers will move from a 50% maximum capacity to a 25% maximum capacity.

Three UC Berkeley students are COVID-19 positive after having been tested before moving into campus residence halls from Aug. 20 to Aug. 23, according to a UC Berkeley news article.

Of the 1,887 specimens that were tested, 1,856 tested negative, the update states. Twenty-six specimens are being retested because they were insufficient, and two students whose tests were inconclusive are being treated as positive cases.

Students who tested positive and those they had close contact with are being temporarily housed in the Foothill residence hall to be quarantined until they are cleared by University Health Services, the update adds.

The city of Berkeley has had four COVID-19 deaths and 422 confirmed cases as of Aug. 7, an increase over the past two weeks of 60 cases and one death.

The UC Office of the President announced Friday that it will require employees and students to receive an influenza immunization in the fall.

The measure was recommended because of the potential of widespread influenza transmission in addition to the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Berkeley Public Health announced Tuesday its two-day pilot of a COVID-19 test kiosk in which participants can swab their own mouths and place the samples in a receptacle under supervision.

People can visit the kiosk at San Pablo Park Wednesday and Thursday and can make an appointment online. Results are expected within two days.

CA Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Friday a number of safeguards for workers at elevated risk of COVID-19, including the provision of isolation spaces for those exposed.

The safeguards, which will be for high-risk workers such as agricultural workers, include the state allocation of federal funds to local public health departments and community organizations to help individuals find services for isolation and quarantine, according to a press release.

Other resources the state will offer include public awareness campaigns about the disease’s spread and a playbook for employers to maintain safe environments in their businesses. Newsom is also working to expand protections such as paid sick leave.

In addition, Newsom is working with the California Legislature to require employers to report outbreaks of the disease to their local health departments, according to the release.

Following campus’s announcement of an online start to the fall semester, the UC Berkeley Library is expanding its on-campus services, even as its buildings remain closed.

The library’s plans, scheduled for late summer, include launching a contactless pickup service and enhanced research consultations at the Bancroft Library. Moffitt Library will not be opening for fall semester as originally planned.

Additionally, materials due after March 1 will now be due Feb. 1, 2021, and will be quarantined with other items returned after the buildings’ closures.

UC Berkeley announced its decision to begin the fall semester fully virtually Tuesday, due to a rise in local COVID-19 cases.

According to UC Berkeley spokesperson Janet Gilmore, campus currently is not anticipating classes to resume in person during the fall but will consider reevaluating resumption of in-person instruction based on public health conditions.

The COVID-19 death toll in the city of Berkeley has risen to three people after remaining stable at one death for more than two months.

UC Berkeley’s fall semester will begin with entirely remote instruction, contrary to earlier plans for a hybrid semester.

According to campuswide emails sent to students and staff Tuesday, the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in both Alameda County and the city of Berkeley, as well as the unlikeliness of a radical change in the public health situation, led to the decision to cancel all in-person plans for at least the beginning of the academic year.

Students will not be able to live in UC Berkeley’s International House, or I-House, in the fall and potentially for the remainder of the 2020-21 academic year.

The decision, made by the board of directors in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, was unanimously approved July 17 and will protect the health and safety of residents and staff, according to a message to the I-House community.

An additional 25 students tested positive for COVID-19 from July 8 to 14, according to an update on UC Berkeley’s website page listing confirmed cases.

None of the students in the group live on campus, and most have mild symptoms, according to the website. Additionally, about 20 of the students are undergraduates — the remainder are graduate students.

UC Berkeley administration reported Thursday a “concerning” increase in UC Berkeley students testing positive for COVID-19.

According to a campuswide email sent by University Health Services Medical Director Anna Harte and University Health Services Assistant Vice Chancellor Guy Nicolette, the number of cases increased from 23 to 70 in one week. Nicolette and Harte attributed the rise to recent events held by the Greek system and added that if cases do not decrease, campus administration’s fall plans could be jeopardized.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order Tuesday with multiple coronavirus-related measures, including extensions of eviction moratoriums and virtual services.

The order allows local governments to continue to halt evictions for renters impacted by COVID-19 through Sept. 30. It also continues the issuance of marriage licenses through videoconferencing and loosens the process of eligibility redetermination for MediCal participants.

Mail-in renewals for driver’s licenses and identification cards have also been extended.

Berkeley’s July 4 festival and fireworks show, held annually at the Berkeley Waterfront, has been canceled due to COVID-19.

Scientists, researchers and members of the public can now access the most current COVID-19 data and model future scenarios as a part of California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s new COVID Assessment Tool, released Thursday.

The California COVID Assessment Tool, or CalCAT, includes “Nowcasts,” which is the estimated spread rate of COVID-19, short-term forecasts and potential scenarios for the next few months under different conditions, according to a press release. The press release adds that the goal of CalCAT is to allow Californians to better understand the impact of COVID-19.

Newsom also said the state’s COVID-19 data will be provided on California’s open data portal, and will be publicly accessible and machine-readable, provided it does not violate patients’ privacy.

To support California’s COVID-19 response amid a $54.3 billion state budget deficit, California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a budget emergency Thursday.

The proclamation allows the state to use additional resources from the state’s rainy day fund to support the ongoing emergency response to COVID-19, according to a press release. The budget emergency will ensure funding for personal protective equipment, medical equipment and other expenditures to support potential hospital surges is available.

The declaration also ensures funding for necessary services for vulnerable populations.

Meter enforcement in the city of Berkeley will officially resume July 1, as economic activity resumes and businesses reopen.

The price of parking will be 50 cents per hour at most meters and $1 per hour in high-demand areas, including Downtown Berkeley and south campus.

UC Berkeley will have a hybrid fall semester, with some in-person classes and activities but a majority of services and courses online, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the UC Berkeley Division of Student Affairs website, in-person classes will be conducted for students on campus, with the number of students in a class limited by public health and building density guidelines. Students will not be required to take any classes in person to have “full-time status,” and campus administration will have a completed course guide listing the classes that will be offered in person by July, according to the website.

Berkeley health officer Lisa Hernandez expects to release new guidance next week that would allow many activities to resume in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the city announced Friday.

According to a press release, activities and operations such as religious services, retail stores and outdoor dining would be able to resume or open June 19, permitted cases and hospitalizations of COVID-19 remain stable. Outdoor fitness classes and outdoor museums would also be permitted to open the same day.

A BART employee in a public-facing position tested positive for COVID-19, the first of the company’s front-line employees to do so.

According to a press release from BART, the employee worked their last shift Sunday — during which they physically distanced and wore a mask and gloves — and is now in quarantine. Contact tracing performed by BART showed the employee did not have any close connections with the public, but spent time in stations and on trains throughout the system. Employees the person came in contact with have been informed and isolated for testing.

Within the next few days, 150 million N95 masks will arrive in California for the state’s front-line workers.

The masks are being shipped after BYD North America, a California-based company that manufactures vehicle batteries, consumer electronics and the monorail system, received certification from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to produce N95 respirators. BYD previously distributed 110 million surgical masks in California, according to a press release from California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office.

Symptoms are no longer a requirement to be eligible for a COVID-19 test in Berkeley, as a site recently opened to expand the city’s testing capacity and increase access.

The site was announced in a city email sent Monday, which mentioned that the testing is free and offered by appointment only. Results take about two to three days, according to the email.

Students planning to live in Washington, D.C., in the fall through the UCDC program will no longer be able to do so, as the program suspended its in-person activities Monday due to COVID-19.

The decision was made by UC Provost and Executive Vice President Michael Brown, according to an email sent to participants, in response to uncertainty about the spread of the coronavirus, as well as the program’s capacity to test, isolate and protect participants. The program will still offer a full remote program with classes and internships, however, according to the email.

The Alameda County Superior Court will resume jury trials June 8, with jurors first being summoned June 29.

The change was announced in a press release Friday after civil jury trials were suspended by the court April 6. All in-person trials will require every person to undergo a health screening, including a temperature check, and to wear a mask or face covering.

Californians now have increased access to hand sanitizer and medical devices, including respirators, ventilators and masks, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The increased availability is a result of California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Friday executive order, in which he temporarily authorized manufacturers not currently licensed by the California Department of Public Health to make over-the-counter drugs and medical devices.

Alameda County and the city of Berkeley updated their shelter-in-place orders Friday to allow additional activities to resume as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.

Both updates allow for small gatherings of up to 12 individuals among people from different households in outdoor spaces, allow child care for nonessential workers’ children and let educational institutions offer internships and pathway programs.

The Berkeley order, which goes into effect Monday, adds that those in the gatherings must be “stable” for at least three weeks, meaning they only interact with individuals in the group, and people older than the age of 12 must wear face coverings.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation declaring a statewide general election Nov. 3 and signed an executive order Tuesday outlining guidelines for a safe and accessible general election.

The order ensures that sufficient numbers of in-person voting opportunities will be available to maintain physical distancing precautions for those unable to vote by mail, with at least one voting location per 10,000 registered voters. The order also requires counties to provide three days of early voting and ballot drop box locations to be available between Oct. 6 and Nov. 3.

The Alameda County Superior Court will see more traffic trials in coming weeks, after the court’s Thursday announcement that some in-person traffic trial opportunities will resume and more will be held through videoconference.

For traffic trial defendants who have not agreed to a remote trial and have not had time waived, the court will be conducting in-person trials beginning June 16. Those who qualify for an in-person trial will be notified by mail with more information.

New state initiatives, including additional funding and partnerships, will offer more support to victims of domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic in California.

The program was announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, on Friday and includes an allocation of $5.3 million in state funding and an additional $3 million in private sector funding. The program is coupled with an executive order Newsom issued May 19, which eases financial burdens on domestic violence centers.

As a part of the initiative to offer more support to those in situations of domestic violence, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services is also enabling a “text-to-911” capability, allowing about 75% of the state to be able to actively send texts to 911.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order Friday with a wide range of statewide measures related to COVID-19, including extending eviction moratoriums and mail-in license renewals.

The order extends the authorization for local governments to halt evictions for renters impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic through July 28, a measure that the city of Berkeley used to issue an eviction moratorium March 20. Newsom also authorized the state Department of Motor Vehicles to continue mail-in renewals for ID cards and licenses.

Parking meters in Berkeley will be operational again starting June 1 to allow parking for local merchants and their customers as businesses reopen.

City meters will operate from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays and will be set to 50 cents per hour, according to a city press release. Rates in different areas will be adjusted depending on the availability of parking in the area.

The press release encouraged people to use pay-by-phone options whenever possible to limit opportunities for COVID-19 to spread.

The UC Education Abroad Program, or UCEAP, announced Tuesday the suspension of its fall programming in light of COVID-19 conditions worldwide.

Students who have had their programming suspended will not be charged withdrawal or cancellation fees, and campus study abroad offices will notify campus financial aid and registrar’s offices on behalf of the affected students, according to an email from Vivian-Lee Nyitray, associate vice provost and executive director of UCEAP.

Beginning June 1, the Alameda County Superior Court will resume certain types of trials, including those for small claims and restraining orders, through teleconference.

The remote “reopening” was announced Wednesday, and the decision was issued to match a similar statewide order by the California Judicial Council. It also follows the Alameda County public health officer’s announcement of moving into stage two of resuming economic activity.

Small claims trials will be heard remotely starting June 1 through the court’s BlueJeans teleconferencing platform, and those involved in the trials will receive specifics before their hearing dates, according to a press release from the superior court.

Civil harassment, elder abuse, gun violence and domestic violence restraining order trials will also be held remotely starting June 1.

California now has a statewide COVID-19 contact tracing program and public awareness campaign, called California Connected, as announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday.

The program includes 10,000 trained contact tracers who will call and text individuals who test positive for COVID-19 and the people they may have exposed to the disease, as well as radio advertisements, billboards and multilingual videos on how to slow the spread of COVID-19. According to a press release from Newsom’s office, the development of this program is part of the plan to eventually restart the economy and reopen the state.

Tennis and pickleball courts in Berkeley reopened Friday with social distancing protocols that allow people from different households to play singles games.

Those using the courts must follow COVID-19 safety guidelines, which include staying 6 feet apart at all times, having their own equipment and having at most three balls on the court, according to a press release from the city of Berkeley. Masks are not required while playing but must be worn when not actively playing if others are present.

Other sports with close contact and shared equipment such as volleyball and basketball remain prohibited among people who don’t live together.

UC Berkeley announced Wednesday an extension of the cancellation or postponement of all campus-sponsored events through June and July.

The extension applies to both departmental and administrative events that were to be held on campus property. The extension does not apply to private events taking place in campus facilities, events put on by Registered Student Organizations and events produced by campus groups that are held off campus.

The in-person commencement date for the now-graduated class of 2020 has been postponed even further, as UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ said in an email that a summer ceremony is unlikely to happen due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Instead, Christ said in the email that the class of 2020 will have the opportunity to participate in the December 2020 ceremony or the May 2021 ceremony.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order Tuesday that waives the 10% cash or in-kind matching requirements needed by domestic violence service providers to receive state grants. The GPA verification deadline, some certification requirements and selective service registration verification for Cal Grant applicants are also waived, according to the order.

In addition, the order allows an extended time frame for local governments to ask the State Controller’s Office for reimbursement and suspends deadlines for organizations that are receiving funding from the Energy Commission to develop new technology that supports California’s efforts toward clean energy.

UC President Janet Napolitano issued a freeze on salaries for certain staff employees and on salary scales for nonstudent academic appointees Monday in an email to staff and faculty.

She added that the freeze was made in response to coronavirus-related economic shortfalls, including an estimated $1.2 billion loss between mid-March and April and a proposed $372 million reduction in state funding. The email also states that Napolitano and the 10 chancellors in the UC system will each be taking a voluntary pay cut of 10%.

The city of Berkeley announced Monday that it will move into phase two of resuming economic activity Tuesday, which will allow for retailers to sell products through curbside pickups and for manufacturers and warehouses that follow disease prevention guidelines to resume activities, among other measures.

Each retail business that wants to reopen should follow guidance outlined by the state and take measures to socially distance people in the workplace. Customers will not be allowed in stores, and goods cannot be displayed at curbside. Manufacturers and warehousing businesses will be able to open, also using state guidelines.

Applications opened Monday for California Disaster Relief Assistance for Immigrants ⁠— a state-funded program that provides a one-time award of disaster relief to undocumented adults impacted by COVID-19.

The money in Alameda and Contra Costa counties will be allocated through Catholic Charities East Bay, which provides legal and mental health services, among other aid. Eligible adults can each receive $500, with a maximum of $1,000 per household. To apply, adults must call the Catholic Charities East Bay phone number and provide documentation of their identity, home address and financial impact from COVID-19.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order Friday that requires county officials to send vote-by-mail ballots to every registered voter for the general election this November.

The order was issued in acknowledgment of the threat COVID-19 poses to public health. California voters who might require in-person voting options — such as those with disabilities, non-English-speaking voters and unhoused individuals — will have access to in-person voting.

Despite California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Monday announcement that the state is moving into stage two of reopening, businesses in the Bay Area will not be allowed to follow the looser state guidelines.

When state ordinances and local ordinances contradict each other, the more restrictive order ⁠— in this case, the city of Berkeley’s ⁠— takes precedence, according to a press release from the city of Berkeley. Bay Area health officials are studying how communities are faring in relation to COVID-19 and what the potential effects of reopening could be.

UC Berkeley administration is preparing for multiple potential modes of fall instruction in light of the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a campuswide email from Chancellor Carol Christ.

The email outlines three potential scenarios being planned for: one with full remote instruction, a restricted yet in-person semester and a fall semester in which activity returns largely to normal while accommodating those unable or unwilling to return to campus. Christ added that the campus will make key decisions regarding fall instruction in mid-June.

Anyone in Berkeley displaying COVID-19 symptoms can now get tested for free, according to a Wednesday message from city health officer Dr. Lisa Hernandez.

Although the message asks people with health care providers to contact their providers before contacting the city, it is possible to be tested without a provider, according to the notice. Those concerned about their symptoms can call a test screening line weekdays to schedule an appointment.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday that workers who contract COVID-19 while on the job may be eligible to receive workers’ compensation.

Workers who test positive or who are diagnosed and confirmed positive for COVID-19 within 14 days of working outside their homes during the stay-at-home order will have “rebuttable presumption,” an assumption of fact accepted by courts until disproved, which will allow them to access compensation benefits, according to a press release. The presumption will stay in place for 60 days after the executive order is issued.

Newsom also signed an executive order that waives penalties on residential and small business property taxes paid after April 10 through May 6, 2021, for taxpayers who demonstrate financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The order also extends the deadline to file a Business Personal Property Statement to May 31 to avoid penalties.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Monday that the state will begin stage two of resuming economic activity during the COVID-19 pandemic, which includes reopening public spaces and lower-risk businesses with adaptations starting May 8, in accordance with state guidelines released May 7.

Such lower-risk workplaces include bookstores, florists, clothing stores and sporting goods stores, according to a press release from Newsom’s office. Other businesses, such as dine-in restaurants and offices, will be included later in stage two, and the reopening of schools remains a topic of discussion.

The Alameda County Superior Court issued a series of executive orders Friday, extending its public closure period and dismissing certain types of cases.

One of the orders extended the court’s physical public closure through May 29. Although the court will continue to offer limited virtual services, jurors will continue to not be called during the closure period, according to a press release. The court also deferred unlawful detainer court proceedings, which include eviction hearings, until May 31.

The second order reduced or dismissed thousands of felony cases to misdemeanors, as well as misdemeanor cases to infractions for those that involved the possession, use or sale of marijuana.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order Thursday allowing for marriage licenses to be obtained through videoconferencing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Couples are only eligible for this service as long as both adults are present on the call, located within California and can present identification. Those who wish to have a full ceremony can do so with one witness on the call as well, according to the order. Licenses will then be emailed to recipients.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday the creation of an online portal through which parents can find child care options.

Created with essential workers in mind, the portal will allow guardians to enter information that will match them with a child care program in their area, according to a press release from the governor’s office. Among other criteria, the programs listed on the site will include their capacities, the age ranges of children they offer care for and programming contact information. Additionally, the portal will provide users with information to contact local child care resource and referral agencies.

Anticipating an extension of public closures, the Alameda County Superior Court announced in a press release Wednesday that it will amend an emergency local rule expanding available public services in family, civil and probate matters.

As a part of the changes, which will be effective Thursday, the court will begin to hear specified motions that are part of civil cases that have trial dates between May 4 and Aug. 31, as well as hearings that were reserved before the court’s public closure for dates between March 17 and May 4. It will also resume reservations for certain new motions.

After shelter-in-place orders were extended by the city of Berkeley and throughout the Bay Area, UC Berkeley announced in a campuswide email that it will be canceling events taking place between May 4 and May 31.

Despite the order’s extension, some campus construction projects will continue, according to the email. The new order will also permit certain outdoor activities to continue.

The city of Berkeley announced Monday that its shelter-in-place order, along with the orders of six Bay Area counties, will be extended through May.

According to an email from the city of Berkeley, the extended order will ease restrictions for lower-risk activities. The health officers from these jurisdictions will also be releasing a set of indicators they can use to determine how the shelter-in-place orders will be lifted, as California Gov. Gavin Newsom did earlier in April.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order to promote transparency from local schools as well as to empower them to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a part of the order, deadlines for local education agencies to submit their Local Control and Accountability Plans have been extended. Additionally, local education agencies will have to provide a written report to members of their communities detailing their responses to the pandemic.

Under the order, physical education minutes and annual physical fitness testing will be waived.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that most servicers providing student loans have agreed to grant relief and payment to more than 1.1 million Californians who are borrowing.

Additionally, Newsom signed an executive order to exempt garnishment for anyone who receives financial assistance from federal, state or local governments. According to a press release, this includes recovery rebates under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.

The Alameda County Office of Emergency Services issued a public health order mandating the use of face coverings effective Wednesday. According to the order, all Alameda County residents are required to wear face coverings on public transportation, in essential businesses open to public access and during essential activities, including going for a walk when unable to socially distance at least 6 feet from others.

The order also states that residents are not required to wear face coverings when around people of their household, adding that children under 12 do not require face coverings.

UC Berkeley administration extended the deadlines to drop or withdraw from summer courses with a refund Tuesday.

The deadlines for sessions E and F will remain the same due to the shortness of the three-week sessions’ timelines. Students can also receive full refunds for the campus fee, the document management fee and the registration fee, according to the email, if they drop all courses before the deadline of their first session.

In addition to the refund deadlines, the grading option change deadlines have been pushed back one week from their original date, with the exemption of the three-week sessions.

The Class Pass fee, which is currently $40, is “an open item” because of shelter-in-place orders and discussions with AC Transit. It becomes nonrefundable, however, after a student’s first day of instruction and is only applicable to newly admitted students, the email adds.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom launched the #CaliforniansForAll service initiative Tuesday.

This initiative will help to connect California residents with volunteer opportunities, as well as encourage creative ways of making a difference, according to a press release. It will also focus on supporting those who are especially vulnerable and at higher risk, including people who are older.

The initiative will aim to recruit younger individuals and partner with a series of nonprofit organizations, including the California Association of Food Banks, United Ways of California and the American Red Cross, among others.

UC Berkeley administration sent an email to essential employees and supervisors Tuesday, implementing a requirement for staff members to wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The email added that employees who serve students and the public are now required to deny service to those without face coverings. People not wearing face masks will not be allowed into campus buildings.

BART will require face coverings for those in its stations and on its trains beginning April 22.

This will be enforced by BART police, who will be focusing on station entrances and fare gates, according to a BART newsletter.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom provided updates on the state’s Project Roomkey on Saturday in a press release.

Project Roomkey has made 10,974 hotel and motel rooms available statewide for those vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the press release. Placements are currently spread across 42 counties and have provided shelter to individuals experiencing homelessness, occupying 4,211 rooms.

The press release adds that the state has reached an agreement with the Motel 6 chain to make all of its corporate-owned locations available to counties. This agreement is effective immediately, and counties have the option to adopt this agreement for locations within their jurisdiction.

If all locations are adopted, this will add 5,025 rooms and includes 47 different hotels in 19 state counties, according to the press release. The state has established an agreement with World Central Kitchen, enabling counties to provide three meals a day to clients of Project Roomkey.

In addition to the Motel 6 agreement, the state has surpassed 1,000 travel trailers delivered to county partners, according to the press release. Newsom’s administration has also initiated a partnership with counties and continuums of care to provide shelter operators and other front-line homelessness workers access to personal protective equipment.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order on foster youth service Friday to maintain continued care during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a press release from Newsom’s office.

The order allows for temporary waivers to certain foster youth programs. The order also allows for county child welfare agencies and probation departments to perform necessary functions with alternative processes instead of “face-to-face interactions.”

These processes include the allowance for a 60-day waiver in the flexibility of emergency foster youth placement, and ensure foster youths have access to programs and technology through verification of foster care status, according to the press release.

Berkeley city health officer Dr. Lisa Hernandez issued an executive order Friday requiring both customers and employees of essential businesses and activities to wear face coverings.

The order went into effect immediately, but enforcement will not begin until April 22, according to a city press release. There is currently no end date for the order.

The order also does not apply to those exercising outdoors, to those who have trouble breathing or difficulty removing a mask on their own, to those who have been advised by medical professionals to avoid masks and to those for whom masks can become a safety hazard during work activities.

Hernandez advises against putting masks on children under the age of 2 and said masks are optional for children ages 3-12.

The order specifies that masks should be made of cloth or fabric and that residents should avoid using N95 masks and surgical masks, as those are needed for health care centers.

Dr. Lisa Hernandez, the city of Berkeley’s health officer, issued an order Thursday that skilled nursing, residential care and other licensed facilities require temperature and symptom checks for workers and visitors in addition to them wearing masks.

The order was issued to control the spread of COVID-19, according to a press release. While there are currently no lab-confirmed COVID-19 positive cases in skilled nursing facilities or other residential facilities, close contact of individuals living and working in these settings makes them more susceptible to infection.

Temperature screenings and symptom checks are to be performed on staff, contractors and visitors before they enter a facility, and individuals with a temperature higher than 100 degrees Fahrenheit or who have experienced COVID-19 symptoms in the past seven days are not permitted inside these facilities.

The press release added that surgical masks are to be worn by staff and visitors when inside the facilities and by residents when outside their rooms. All group activities and communal dining are also canceled. Residents are also asked to follow social distancing measures when leaving their rooms.

The order also states that hospitals and emergency medical services should be notified about potential exposures, and staff working at multiple facilities should be limited, according to the press release.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced in a press release Thursday that food sector workers impacted by COVID-19 will receive paid sick leave benefits and that consumers will also receive additional protections.

According to the press release, the executive order gives two weeks of supplemental paid sick leave to certain food sector workers who might be in quarantine, subject to an isolation order or subject to a medical directive. The order also calls for increased hand-washing measures at food facilities in order to increase the protection of consumers.

Workers in the food sector include farmworkers, agricultural workers, delivery drivers and individuals working at grocery stores and fast-food chains. The press release added that for hand-washing measures, workers at food facilities should wash their hands every 30 minutes or “as needed.”

In Alameda County, 36 deaths have now been reported, the fifth highest in California. Currently, 962 people in the county have tested positive for COVID-19.

In order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, AC Transit announced altered passenger thresholds and encouraged riders to wear masks.

Now, up to six passengers will be allowed on AC Transit’s 30-foot feeder coaches, while a maximum of 10 people will be allowed on its standard coaches. Up to 16 passengers will now be permitted on its 60-foot articulated coaches, and its 44-foot double-decker coaches will now permit a maximum of 24 passengers.

Once a bus nears the passenger threshold, the operator can bypass stops, according to a press release. To notify those waiting for the bus, a sign will be shown reading “Drop-Off Only,” signaling that the bus will not stop for new passengers.

In light of social distancing guidelines, AC Transit is also strongly encouraging passengers to wear cloth face masks that cover both their noses and mouths.

In a campuswide email sent Tuesday, University Health Services provided updated information about coronavirus testing for students, faculty and staff.

Testing is now open to any member of faculty and staff who is required to work in support of campus’s essential functions. The email added that all testing is only for individuals with symptoms related to the coronavirus.

Coronavirus testing started last week in collaboration with the Innovative Genomics Institute’s pop-up laboratory. According to the email, testing at the Tang Center was initially limited to students, UC Berkeley first responders and health care workers.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom released the six indicators the state is considering when exploring the idea of rolling back state shelter-in-place orders and other responses to the coronavirus at a press conference Tuesday.

According to Newsom, the first indicator — the state’s ability to administer widespread testing and support those who have lab-confirmed cases of the disease or are exposed — is the “most important” factor the state is considering when determining future policy.

Other indicators include the prevention of infection in those most at-risk, which includes the elderly, the immunocompromised and the homeless populations. Hospitals and health care institutions’ ability to handle surges, and partnerships with research laboratories and higher education institutions, such as the UC system, to develop “therapeutics” are other factors.

Newsom added that the state is considering how to facilitate “updating floor plans” in businesses, schools and child care facilities to encourage social distancing. For schools, Newsom said superintendents are discussing staggering start times, meal times and recesses for students to prevent contact and group gatherings. The final indicator for the state is the ability to reverse its decision and go back to more intensive stay-at-home orders if necessary.

According to Newsom, this plan is dependent on local governments and will be implemented with the support and collaboration of county health officials. The timeline for making changes to COVID-19 response policies is uncertain, according to Newsom. He added that he will have more information in early May that will be able to help the state make a more informed decision.

The Alameda County Superior Court issued three general orders releasing an additional 56 inmates from Santa Rita Jail, according to a press release issued Monday.

The first general order, issued at the request of the district attorney, public defender and private criminal defense bar, released 15 inmates who had 90 or fewer days left to serve on their felony sentences and deemed their sentences served, according to the press release. The second and third orders released 20 and 21 inmates, respectively.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Monday $42 million new investments over the next three months to protect foster youth and families who are impacted by COVID-19. The investments include $40.6 million in state general fund and $1.4 million in federal funds.

Newsom is making available more than $27 million to help families stay together, about $7 million to support social workers and $3 million to support family resource centers, among other investments.

According to a press release, foster youth “are at heightened risk for abuse and mistreatment due to COVID-19.” The press release added that the foster system has been heavily impacted due to school closures and social isolation.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced a shared vision to take control over the coronavirus, as well as reopen their economies and revitalize public life.

Despite the goal to promote their state economies, the governors have highlighted that the health of residents remains their first priority. They also reiterated that science, rather than politics, will back their decisions and that the three states will be most successful if they collaborate.

The Alameda County Superior Court issued a new series of emergency local rules, announced the start of emergency hearings and ordered the release of 19 inmates from Santa Rita Jail in an April 10 press release.

These changes come after the Alameda County Superior Court issued a second emergency order, which excused prospective jurors and extended the court’s public closure period.

Presiding Judge Tara Desautels issued a general order that released 19 inmates from Santa Rita Jail. From the inmates released, those who had 66 or fewer days left to serve will be considered to have completed their sentences.

According to the press release, beginning on the week of April 20, the court will conduct a limited number of emergency hearings virtually, either over the phone or through videoconference.

The Alameda County Superior Court will also resume its fax filing services for some emergency civil, family and probate documents on Monday.

UC Berkeley confirmed Thursday that nine people associated with campus have tested positive for COVID-19.

A staff member was the latest person to test positive and is in good condition; they are currently self-isolating in their home. According to a campus update, they were not on campus during the exposure period.

Eleven inmates at Santa Rita Jail have confirmed cases of COVID-19, as reported by the Mercury News on Wednesday.

The number of confirmed cases within the jail spiked from three to 11 Wednesday. The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office also told the Mercury News that seven inmates are currently awaiting test results.

Overall, 52 tests have been administered and 32 have come back negative, while seven have not yet yielded results. Of the facility’s total 2,000 inmates, 26 are currently in the facility’s quarantine pod, with the jail currently at about half capacity, the Mercury News article added.

The city of Berkeley confirmed the first death from COVID-19 in the city Thursday, after a man in his 40s died of the disease.

According to a press release, the resident had underlying health issues, which complicated his case. The press release adds that all populations are susceptible to the disease. The virus moves through the air when people sneeze, cough or even talk, the press release states.

There is currently no treatment for COVID-19, and residents are urged to stay inside, with the exception of essential activities. The press release also asks residents who do go out to cover their noses and mouths with face coverings.

According to the press release, 34 people in Berkeley are currently infected with lab-confirmed COVID-19, and Berkeley’s first death marks the 17th in Alameda County and the 442nd in California. The only way to stop further spread of the disease as of now is to stay home.

Berkeley Unified School District Superintendent Brent Stephens sent a districtwide email Tuesday night with an update on the school district’s COVID-19 response.

After the Alameda County Office of Education’s announcement that classes would be online for the rest of the academic year, Stephens said in his email that no official action has been taken in the school district yet, but he plans on advising the BUSD board to follow this action and cancel in-person classes for the rest of the school year. He said, however, that he hopes the board will revisit this decision in the event of a change in public health guidance.

Stephens also said in the email that the district has temporarily banned the use of Zoom and Google Meet for instruction, after several incidents of “Zoom bombings” at teachers’ office hours. Two of the incidents involved students and one allegedly involved “illegal activity” from an adult, who disrupted a Berkeley High School instructional session. According to the email, the Berkeley Police Department is looking into this incident, and in the meantime, teachers have been instructed to use Google Classroom and recorded lectures without a live interactive capability.

The city of Berkeley announced Tuesday it will be opening a COVID-19 testing site for community members, including those lacking health care, firefighters, nurses, police officers and essential city employees.

The site is a partnership with LifeLong Medical, an urgent care center in Berkeley, and UC Berkeley and is intended to improve data on COVID-19 in the city, tracing those who have been exposed through contact and prevent further spread of the disease, according to an email from Dr. Lisa Hernandez, Berkeley city health officer.

She added, however, that not all people who may have been infected or who are experiencing symptoms need to be tested. According to Hernandez, those with no symptoms or mild symptoms should just stay home unless their symptoms worsen.

Hernandez requested in the email that those with health care providers also not go to the site to allow the city to focus its resources on those with more pressing needs.

According to the email, this new site will work in conjunction with a site at UC Berkeley, which also started this week, to build data about the disease and give officials a better picture of its spread. Hernandez also said, in addition to increasing data, a crucial part of fighting the disease is members of the public staying at home with the exception of essential activities, with the ultimate goal of preventing a surge of patients in hospitals.

On Tuesday, the Alameda County Office of Education announced in a press release the extension of school campus closures for the remainder of the academic 2019-2020 year.

This decision aligns with five other Bay Area counties and with California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s announcement Wednesday that all California schools will remain closed for the rest of the academic school year.

According to the press release, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Mateo, Santa Clara and San Francisco counties superintendents consulted with public health officers in their counties in making this decision. The press release added that schools will continue to transition to at-home instruction and “distance learning formats.”

Schools will continue to use campus facilities to distribute school meals and provide child care or supervision in accordance with the local community’s needs.

BART announced Monday that it will be limiting its services to every 30 minutes Mondays through Fridays, beginning April 8.

This decision comes after BART reported considerable losses in revenue and low ridership rates due to the COVID-19 pandemic and California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s and the Bay Area’s stay-at-home orders. The end date of this change is not yet determined, but the reduction in the number of trains will allow for BART employees to take time off when needed and save BART $3-7 million per month, according to a BART press release.

The move to online classes and general reliance on the Zoom teleconference platform for many classes has brought issues to campus regarding copyright and class climate, according to a campuswide email sent Monday.

Instructors own copyright in their course materials, according to Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Paul Alivisatos and Academic Senate chair Oliver O’Reilly in the email, making the distribution or display by any other person a violation of copyright law. According to the email, screenshots of individual lectures and course materials have been circulating and are being taken out of context.

Alivisatos and O’Reilly also said “Zoom bombing incidents” have begun to take place at UC Berkeley, during which people join Zoom lectures to display racist, pornographic or violent messages as a disruption. Alivisatos and O’Reilly requested that everyone updates Zoom to the latest version, as well as that instructors and GSIs report incidents to campus administration.

California Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye issued a second emergency order to the Alameda County Superior Court, excusing prospective jurors and extending the court’s public closure period.

Under the order, the public closure period has been extended, and April 6 to May 1 will be largely considered holidays. Additionally, pleas and appearances involving civil action and misdemeanor appeals will be held electronically.

Those who receive summons for jury service with dates between April 6 and May 1 will not be required to report, and they will not be summoned for at least one year.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order Friday outlawing price gouging by more than 10% on food, consumer goods, emergency resources and medical supplies, as well as other products.

The order also empowers the California Department of Justice and attorney general to prosecute price gougers.

Campus officials announced Friday that summer classes would be completely online in response to the COVID-19, or the novel coronavirus, pandemic.

All summer 2020 classes will be offered through Zoom, bCourses and other virtual methods. Classes that cannot be offered remotely will be canceled by April 10, but more classes may be added in the future, according to Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Paul Alivisatos, Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate Education Catherine Koshland, Academic Senate chair Oliver O’Reilly and Dean of Summer Sessions Richard Russo, who sent the email.

According to the email, campus administration has made the decision to waive cancellation penalties for summer classes until May 25, the beginning of summer sessions. The move online will not affect students’ ability to qualify for financial aid, as long as they are enrolled in six units or more.

Online classes have historically been offered during the summer in addition to in-person classes, making the transition not completely different from previous terms. According to the email, more than 30 classes were already being offered fully online before the decision was made by campus administration.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom launched “Project Roomkey,” which aims to provide hotel and motel rooms as protection from COVID-19, or the novel coronavirus, to the state’s unhoused population, at a Friday press conference.

With this project, California becomes the first state in the nation to obtain approval from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide people experiencing homelessness safe isolation from COVID-19, according to a press release. Project Roomkey aims to secure up to 15,000 rooms “as quickly as possible” and has currently moved 869 individuals “most vulnerable” to COVID-19 into isolation.

The project’s isolation units will provide three critical public health services by prioritizing individuals classified as high-risk and asymptomatic and providing isolation capacity for those exposed to COVID-19 that don’t require hospitalization and for those that have tested positive for COVID-19.

Newsom also announced that state and local governments will receive up to 75% cost-reimbursement for the rooms and wraparound support services from FEMA, with essential behavioral health and health care services also being provided for local governments and community partners where needed.

According to the press release, the state will also allocate dedicated support teams to counties to help identify hotels, negotiate and execute operating agreements and provide technical assistance in record-keeping needed to receive federal reimbursement. As of press time, local governments have secured 6,867 hotel and motel rooms for Project Roomkey.

Hotels in counties with significant homeless populations that are also currently experiencing a high concentration of COVID-19 transmission will be targeted by Project Roomkey, according to the press release. Local governments are also responsible for identifying which shelter clients or encampment residents are selected for room placements as well as transporting them to hotels.

Every room included in Project Roomkey will include essential wraparound services such as custodial, laundry, security and support staff services, according to the press release. In partnership with chef José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen, select hotels housing individuals in the program will receive three meals per day through a statewide contract.

The Alameda County Superior Court has extended its public closure period to May 1 in response to the extension of the shelter-in-place order to mitigate the effects of COVID-19, or the novel coronavirus.

In a Thursday press release, the court also requested a number of relief forms including the extension of the California Superior Court emergency order enacted by the chair of the Judicial Council on March 17 as well as the authority to continue considering the public closure period a “holiday.”

With authority granted by California Gov. Gavin Newsom through an executive order, Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye issued a statewide order that authorized all Superior Courts to issue implementation orders that would extend the time for holding preliminary examinations and criminal arraignments and further continue civil and criminal jury trials.

As a result, the court has extended the time for in-custody arraignments and preliminary examinations and is continuing criminal trial dates by 60 days. The court has also adopted a temporary Emergency Bail Schedule and is further ordering the stay of all unlawful detainer proceedings, including evictions, until May 3, among others.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, PG&E customers will receive California Climate Credit on their bills for their April billing cycle.

According to a PG&E press release, the credit for customers receiving natural gas as well as electric services will amount to $62.91. Those who only receive natural gas will receive a credit of $27.18, while those with electric-only services will receive $35.73. Under the shelter-in-place orders, people may be using more energy than usual, leading to increased energy bills, making the credit especially “timely,” according to the press release.

California is requiring business that emit greenhouse gases — including power plants, natural gas providers and other industries — to purchase carbon pollution permits. These permit is attained from auctions managed by the California Air Resources Board, according to the press release. The California Climate Credit is the customers’ share of payments from the statewide program, which is overseen by the California Public Utilities Commission.

To help manage costs associated with increased energy usage, PG&E is offering several rate plan options as well as assistance programs.

Additionally, PG&E has instituted a moratorium on service disconnections for nonpayment that can be applied toward residential and small business customers, according to the release. They will remain in effect until further notice.

PG&E is also planning to suspend Medical Baseline Program removals, allowing customers in the Medical Baseline Program to not recertify with a doctor or medical professional for up to one year.

UC Berkeley Vice Chancellor for Administration Marc Fisher sent a campuswide email Thursday with an update on campus closures and policies after the Bay Area’s shelter-in-place order was extended to May 3 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the email, all campus buildings will be locked indefinitely Friday at 5 p.m., including to those with key card access. Those who need access to buildings will need to seek approval from their supervisors, as well as the Fisher. In emergencies, people can reach out to UCPD for access, according to Fisher, who said he strongly discourages community members from coming to campus at all, even before the Friday deadline.

All outdoor campus facilities, including tennis courts, basketball courts, play structures and fields are also closed indefinitely, effective immediately, according to Fisher.

For employees, including student workers, supervisors must complete and submit a temporary work at home agreement with each employee working virtually. Employees who relocated out-of-state or internationally should reach out to their supervisors and will continue to receive a California payroll until the shelter-in-place order is lifted. When the order is lifted, however, wages may have to adjust for tax purposes, according to the email. The Berkeley International Office remains a resource for those working from international locations, Fisher added.

The UC Office of the President announced Thursday that no UC workers would be laid off as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order Thursday, placing a moratorium on water shut-offs for nonpayment to residential homes and small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a press release, more than 100 public and private California water systems had already voluntarily suspended shut-offs for their services. The order expands this to the rest of the state and restores water for residences that have had their water shut off since March 4, when Newsom first declared a state of emergency.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday three new measures for Californians financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Among the several resources unveiled today was a federal fund of “first-come, first-serve” loans of up to $10 million for small employers impacted by COVID-19. This fund opens applications Friday, according to a press release.

Newsom also announced a $50 million state fund for loan guarantees to small businesses that may not qualify for federal funds, including those in low-income and undocumented immigrant communities. This comes after Newsom issued a 90-day extension for small businesses to pay sales taxes.

For the newly unemployed, Newsom partnered with Bitwise Industries and the Kapor Center to create OnwardCA, which connects people in need of jobs to more than 70,000 jobs in the most critical industries today.

Newsom has also allocated $17.8 million to supporting California workers, with $7.8 million for the Los Angeles region and the other $10 million for the rest of the state.

Chancellor Carol Christ said in an email to graduating students Thursday that commencement, which was officially postponed March 23, will take place during the summer.

Campus administration circulated a survey to those graduating, to which they received more than 3,000 responses. According to the email, the majority of students said they prefer a summer commencement date.

Christ said in the email that campus administration has begun searching for new dates and locations for the ceremony but will not officially set a date until the timeline of the pandemic becomes more clear.

In an email Tuesday, the city of Berkeley said the shelter-in-place order would be extended to May 3 in order to preserve the “critical” hospital capacity across the region.

The order includes additional prohibited activities and businesses and goes into effect Tuesday at 11:59 p.m. Shared recreational facilities, playgrounds, dog parks and picnic areas are to be closed, and sports requiring shared equipment, such as a ball, are limited to people in the same household.

Construction, both residential and commercial, has been halted, and funeral attendance is now capped at 10 people. The order also requires businesses to develop social distancing protocols by April 3.

In a press release Monday, the city of Berkeley announced the extension of the shelter-in-place order.

The shelter-in-place order began March 17 and was intended to remain in place for at least three weeks, or until April 7, but will now be extended to at least May 1. More details about the order will be announced after the updated order is finalized by Wednesday.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom asked all recently retired health care workers, as well as students in medical schools, to join the workforce to meet the surge of COVID-19 cases at a press conference Monday.

According to Newsom, there are about 37,000 prospective recently retired health care workers and eligible medical students whom the government has identified as viable to work. He added that California will need thousands more workers to “meet the moment” and combat the COVID-19 pandemic in the state. Medical students at the brink of graduation will be prioritized.

Newsom said the state will help those who are willing to return to work or start working with licensing. He added that Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook have pledged $25 million to support Californian health care workers with accommodations, child care and transportation while they work to treat those with COVID-19.

Newsom added that the state is working with the Army Corps of Engineers to identify and prepare new spaces for “surge sites” and to increase state capacity to treat those with COVID-19 by 15,000 beds. According to Newsom, the Oakland Coliseum is one of these prospective sites.

In California, 1,432 people are hospitalized for COVID-19, up from 746 cases four days ago. Newsom added that the number of Californians in the ICU from COVID-19 is 597, an increase from 200 cases four days earlier. According to Newsom, the state will release data on the number of county cases.

UC Berkeley is now providing access to free e-books to support students in remote instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a campuswide email sent Monday, this service provides access to course materials that may no longer be accessible. Beginning March 30 to May 25, the Cal Student Store will be providing free access to an “expansive” catalog to all students through VitalSource. To access the portal, students will need their UC Berkeley email.

The email also reminds students of technology resources provided, including the Student Technology Fund, which is offering students emergency loans of Wi-Fi hot spots and laptops while supplies last. The Student Learning Center on campus also remains fully open via Zoom to support students with their coursework.

The city of Berkeley ordered local cannabis dispensaries to stop in-store services and instead utilize a delivery-only model, as first reported by Berkeleyside.

According to a Berkeleyside article, the city’s economic development manager Jordan Klein sent an email Wednesday about the order and said Dr. Lisa Hernandez, the city’s health officer, made the decision. The article added that some dispensaries have appealed to Mayor Jesse Arreguín to intervene, as only one cannabis business in Berkeley has a delivery service.

Stefan Elgstrand, Arreguín’s spokesperson, said in an email that Arreguín spoke with City Manager Dee Williams-Ridley and requested the reconsideration of the decision and to allow for curbside pickups.

According to city spokesperson Matthai Chakko, as of Friday, Hernandez has made the decision to allow dispensaries to do curbside services in addition to deliveries if social distancing measures are utilized to limit exposure to COVID-19.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order Friday officially mandating a statewide moratorium on evictions through May 31.

This order follows an order from March 16 that authorized local governments to halt evictions but did not mandate any statewide action. In Friday’s order, Newsom prohibited landlords, law enforcement and courts from evicting tenants for nonpayment or legal order. Tenants must, however, declare in writing that they cannot pay all or part of their rent due to COVID-19 no more than a week after the original payment deadline.

Tenants must also retain documentation of their financial hardship due to COVID-19 but do not have to submit it to their landlords. According to the order, tenants who take advantage of this moratorium on evictions are still obligated to pay their full rent “in a timely manner” and could face eviction after May 31.

The city of Berkeley provided updates on construction and development during the shelter-in-place order. While city offices, including the Permit Service Center, are closed, limited construction is allowed to continue and building permits and related services are available remotely.

The Berkeley Planning and Development Department is working to maintain essential projects and regular business. Construction projects, building inspections and other work the city schedules, if considered essential, will take place under appropriate social distancing measures with suitable personal protective equipment.

The city is currently not accepting new land use applications and approved projects that are subject to appeal will have their appeal periods extended until the city is able to conduct public hearings.

The Alameda County Superior Court ordered the release of low-risk offenders arrested for failing to appear in court from Santa Rita Jail on Wednesday in response to COVID-19.

Wednesday’s order comes after two previous orders days earlier, one of which released 247 people while the other released eight people deemed “vulnerable” due to age or health condition. Released individuals were instructed to appear in court in eight weeks and check in with their service providers in the interim.

The court has also resumed its self-help services available by phone call, according to a court press release, but continues to provide limited activities. Jury trials have been suspended until May 22, according to an order released Monday from Judge Tani Cantil-Sakauye, the chief justice of California.

Campus confirmed two new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, bringing the number of students who have tested positive up to seven.

Six of the seven students who have tested positive have returned from a study abroad program in Spain through the UC Education Abroad Program, including the two newest confirmed cases from Wednesday, according to campus’s COVID-19 update page. Two other undergraduate students from a Spanish study abroad program — one in Barcelona and one in Madrid — also returned home and tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, campus’s fourth and fifth cases.

According to the update page, one of the infected students lives in the city of Berkeley and is being treated by University Health Services. They are self-isolating and in “good condition” and the individual was not on campus while symptomatic, according to the update page.

BUSD confirmed Wednesday that its school closures will be extended to May 1 to limit the spread of COVID-19.

The decision was a regional move made by Bay Area public health officers, including those from the city of Berkeley and Alameda County, in coordination with county superintendents, and it applies to public schools across the region.

According to BUSD Superintendent Brent Stephens, BUSD has begun developing a long-term Distance Learning Program instead of short-term home-learning resources. He added that more information will be given at BUSD’s virtual board meeting Wednesday night.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced at a press conference Wednesday that four national banks have agreed to a 90-day residential mortgage payment waiver period for those impacted by COVID-19.

U.S. Bank, JPMorgan Chase Bank, Citibank and Wells Fargo are the four banks that have agreed to the 90-day grace period. According to Newsom, Bank of America agreed to a 30-day period, but Newsom said he is hopeful that it will adjust this policy to meet the other four major banks. Many state and local banks, including East West Bank, have also set forth policies of residential mortgage payment forbearance and a moratorium on foreclosures.

According to Newsom, more than 1 million Californians have applied for unemployment benefits since March 13. He added that he recognizes that many Californians are struggling financially and said he is working with national, state and local leaders to mitigate some of the economic effects.

The state of California will continue to work with these financial institutions on policies for overdraft fees and ATM charges, according to Newsom, as well as measures that will help small businesses and nonprofits in the coming days.

Berkeley City Manager Dee Williams-Ridley announced the closure of play structures, athletic courts, dog parks and fields to help enforce social distancing.

Nine parks are entirely closed, including Grizzly Peak Park and Ohlone Dog Park, according to the email announcement. Both King Pool and West Campus Pool have been closed, along with seven recreation centers. Berkeley Skate Park, the Gabe Catalfo Fields and the Tom Bates Regional Sports Complex have also been shut down.

The city of Berkeley has 10 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and Alameda County has 122 cases, according to city of Berkeley spokesperson Matthai Chakko.

The 2020 UC Berkeley all-campus commencement, which was originally scheduled for May 16, has been postponed.

The commencement will take place at an undetermined time and location, according to an email from Chancellor Carol Christ sent to the class of 2020. The email asks that students fill out a survey, in which they can opt for commencement to take place either during the summer or virtually on the original date.

The email also mentions the possibility of the class of 2020 being able to participate in the December 2020 or May 2021 ceremonies.

AC Transit will no longer be requiring fares for its bus rides until further notice, according to an email from Berkeley City Councilmember Kate Harrison.

Passengers will also be instructed to board through the rear doors on buses in order to promote social distancing.

The city of Berkeley released an email confirming the suspension of certain parking enforcement measures, including those regarding parking meters, parking with time limits, school zones and residential permit parking through April 7.

According to the email, parking violations involving red and yellow curbs, fire hydrants, disabled parking-designated spots, street sweeping and double parking will still be enforced. Parking in construction zones and driveways will be enforced by complaint only.

As of 5:30 p.m. Friday, the campus learned of two additional confirmed COVID-19, or coronavirus, cases involving UC Berkeley community members, according to a Berkeley News press release.

The two cases are undergraduate students who both tested positive after returning home from studying abroad in Spain. The press release added that the students are currently in home-isolation outside of Alameda County and that there was no exposure to the campus.

Beginning March 23, all Cal Dining locations with seating will be closed for dine-in services and will only offer to-go options. Signage at each location will include the menu and what allergens are present in the food.

All of UC Berkeley’s Spring 2020 undergraduate courses will be defaulted to the Pass/No Pass grading system, according to a campuswide email sent Friday.

If a student wishes to take a class for a letter grade, they will be able to change their grading option until May 6. Instructors will also continue submitting letter grade records.

Certain regulations have also been temporarily suspended, allowing the campus to temporarily modify student requirements toward a degree or minor, if students chose to take Pass/No Pass classes. There will be a notation on transcripts regarding Spring 2020 grades to denote the semester’s extenuating circumstances.

Campus advisories regarding travel, health and general safety were also released in a campuswide email Friday morning.

Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos has suspended federal student loan payments and waived interest, for a period of 60 days. She also announced that states can apply for standardized test waivers for the 2019-20 academic year.

The UC Education Abroad Program, or UCEAP, announced that it has suspended all summer 2020 programs. In an email sent to UCEAP summer 2020 program students, upcoming fall and year programs are scheduled to run as planned.

Campus administration announced changes to how the campus receives and processes tuition payments in response to Alameda County’s “shelter in place” order.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom also issued an executive order Wednesday that would suspend standardized testing for more than 6 million students this year in K-12 schools, pending federal approval, after schools across the state closed.

The U.S. Census has suspended all operations until April 1 and postponed many other targeted attempts at counting.

The count for people experiencing homelessness has been postponed until April 29-May 1 and the field count is expected to begin April 30. Census employees are still being paid during this suspension and most enumerators will not be sent out until May.

The public is being encouraged to fill out the census by filling out the online form, calling in to fill out the census and mailing in their census forms.

Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order waiving eligibility redetermination for 90 days on many safety net programs: MediCal, CalFresh, CalWORKs, Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants and In-Home Supportive Services. According to a press release from Newsom’s office, current recipients of these programs will continue receiving them without interruption.

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Stephen Sutton sent an email to all campus students Tuesday afternoon, outlining how many student services would operate online — many will be operating out of online portals or through phone. The email also encouraged students to look after their own well-being, physically and mentally, and sourced many campus health resources.

The meetings — originally scheduled from March 17 to March 19 – will now be available to viewers through a livestream. Additionally, public comment will be held over the phone and can also be submitted via email.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order Monday evening that authorizes local governments to halt evictions for renters and homeowners, slow foreclosures and protect against utility shut-offs in response to COVID-19

Unless extended, the protections allowed under the order are in effect until May 31. The order comes as Californians are experiencing COVID-19-related loss of hours, loss of wages and layoffs that affect their ability to pay rent, mortgages and utility bills.

The order also asks that banks and other financial institutions halt foreclosures and related evictions while the order is in place.

The order, however, does not relieve a tenant from their obligation to pay rent, nor does it restrict a landlord’s ability to recover rent.

UC President Janet Napolitano issued an executive order Monday mandating expanded paid family leave for UC workers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The order makes all employees eligible to receive up to 128 hours of paid administrative leave one time before Dec. 31. It comes with several conditions, including that the extra paid leave be used in response to a COVID-19-related illness of the employee or their family member, that an employee is under a “shelter in place” order and is unable to come to work or that the employee must be home with a child or dependent in response to school or day care closures and remote work is unfeasible.

The order also applies to those who have been directed not to come to work in-person but cannot work at home. According to the order, those who work part time will have the 128-hour measure prorated to fit their assignment.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order Monday to redirect state agencies to protect licensed facilities, staff and residents vulnerable to COVID-19.

The order contains updated health guidance for older residents, which includes individuals over the age of 65 and those at a higher risk for illness from COVID-19. State health and social services agencies are being asked to redirect resources and staff to health care, residential and nonresidential facilities. The redirection is focused on providing technical assistance and supporting compliance with “core health and safety requirements.”

The California Health and Human Services Agency is also being directed to develop alternatives to leverage in-home supportive services programs, adult protective services programs, area agencies on aging and regional centers and other programs.

The order adds that state departments will authorize first responders, care providers and workers who are asymptomatic and taking precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to continue working.

Newsom is recommending that older residents and individuals with compromised immune systems or serious chronic medical conditions remain at home until the order is rescinded or another guidance is issued.

Outdoor activities are also encouraged to continue as long as individuals practice social distancing. It is also advised that individuals stay in touch with others by phone or email, have others help with essential activities, stock up on food items and medical supplies, have a plan in the case of possibly contracting the virus and to practice basic hygiene etiquette.

Public health officers from six Bay Area counties, including Alameda County, announced at 1 p.m. Monday that the region would go in a “shelter in place” beginning 12:01 a.m. Tuesday.

City of Berkeley Health Officer Dr. Lisa Hernandez was also at the press conference, joining representatives from the counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Mateo, Santa Clara and San Francisco. The order will remain in place “for at least three weeks,” according to Santa Clara County Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody, or until April 7.

During the press conference, Cody said there have been 273 cases of COVID-19 as of 5 p.m. Sunday night across the jurisdictions represented at the conference.

The order also restricts travel to only “essential travel,” but public transportation, private cars and airplanes will still be used, according to Cody.

Grocery stores and pharmacies will remain open, according to multiple members of the press conference, and restaurants are being encouraged to continue delivery services. First responders and emergency services, such as fire departments, will also continue operation.

Individuals are also still able to walk around publicly so long as individuals continue to socially distance themselves.

After the press conference ended, Chancellor Carol Christ sent a campuswide email canceling all remaining in-person classes and most campus operations.

More information for employees will be released by the UC Office of the President later today, according to the email.

Campus services that cannot be provided remotely will continue, including custodial services, housing, dining, UCPD and University Health Services, according to Christ.

Berkeley City Manager Dee Williams-Ridley announced Sunday evening that she is temporarily closing all city recreation programs, recreation centers, pools and clubhouses.

These closures will be starting March 16, and city parks will remain open, according to Williams-Ridley’s press release, which also says that the city will refund payments for any canceled programs or facility rentals.

Upcoming city-wide recreation division special events in the month of April will also be canceled, these events include the Shoreline Cleanup, Flashlight Egg Hunt, Spring Egg Hunt, Berkeley Bay Festival and the 2020 Census Event.

The press release further encouraged the recommendation of limiting gatherings to 250 people or less and ten people or less for those more susceptible COVID-19, such as people over the ages of 60 or those with chronic conditions.

City officials are looking into how the city can temporarily use these closed facilities to support nurses, paramedics, police officers and outreach workers.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered for the self or home isolation of people ages 65 and older, along with the closure of bars statewide as the number of diagnosed COVID-19, or coronavirus, cases rise.

The order of closure of all bars across the state also includes wine bars, breweries and pubs. Newsom added that there are currently no plans to close restaurants but called for restaurants to reduce their occupancy by half and to practice “deep social distancing.”

The state is also prohibiting visitors to nursing homes, in addition to the self or home isolation of state residents ages 65 and older. The state is also working to launch a plan to provide the homeless population indoor resources, such as spaces in trailers and motels.

The state is also launching an online portal within the next couple of days. The portal will allow the public to input their symptoms and other COVID-19 related information to determine the likelihood of their contraction of the virus before contacting health professionals.

Public health officials have determined that no one is at a significantly higher risk of contracting COVID-19 from the campus graduate student diagnosed with the disease than the general public, according to campus spokesperson Janet Gilmore.

Starting Monday, Berkeley Public Library will be closed to the public for an indefinite period to help stall the spread of COVID-19.

A campus graduate student in the sociology department has tested positive for COVID-19 — the first reported on-campus case of the disease.

UCPD sent a Nixle alert saying the student lives off-campus. The alert also said campus officials are working to determine who has been in contact with the patient and will direct them to self-isolate.

Vice Chancellor of Administration Marc Fisher and Assistant Vice Chancellor of University Health Services Guy Nicolette also sent a campuswide email, stating that the individual does not live in Berkeley and has self-isolated in their city of residence. According to the email, the individual with COVID-19 is in “good condition” and is not exhibiting any “serious symptoms.”

“We understand that this news is unsettling, but we want to assure you that your health and safety remain our number one priority,” Fisher and Nicolette said in the email. “We are also coordinating to make sure that the student is getting the care needed.”

According to various faculty from the sociology department, the student’s case is mild and they have contacted county public health officials. Members of the department encouraged those feeling sick to seek a doctor’s consultation and those who have been in department offices to self-isolate.

PG&E placed a moratorium on all shutdowns for nonpayment for both its residential and commercial customers effective immediately.

The company said in a press release that it will also offer the “most flexible” pay plans to customers who indicate they were impacted or endured hardship as a result of COVID-19. PG&E has also instituted new rules, such as requiring its employees providing in-person, direct customer support to wear disposable gloves and avoid handshakes. The company is also asking employees to work from home if possible.

The city of Berkeley has canceled nearly all city-sponsored events and has announced the closure of all senior homes beginning on March 16, according to a press release sent by Berkeley public health officer Dr. Lisa Hernandez.

These cancellations include committee and commission meetings, which will not meet for 60 days except for critical items that the commissions have to see. The full list: Design Review Committee, Fair Campaign Practices Commission, Joint Subcommittee for the Implementation of State Housing Laws, Landmarks Preservation Commission, Open Government Commission, Personnel Board, Planning Commission, Police Review Commission and Zoning Adjustments Board.

City Council meetings will continue virtually, with links and spaces for public accessibility.

While closed, senior centers will still provide pickup lunches, with no dine-in option.

Regarding testing for COVID-19, due to the nationwide shortage of tests, Hernandez recommended that anyone with mild cold or flu symptoms treat their illnesses at home, as entering a hospital could expose them to new illnesses. Individuals should go to a hospital when symptoms worsen.

On March 12, Berkeley Free Clinic announced it would close for three weeks or longer, because “as a clinic staffed by lay volunteers, we lack the gear, training, and knowledge to respond to CoVID-19.”

The campus Division of Student Affairs released an email Friday outlining guidelines for students living in undergraduate housing.

Students who choose to stay will have a “safe and healthy living environment,” according to the email. Financial aid for housing will continue as planned for students who stay in campus housing and it will be not be affected by students’ decisions to leave or remain on campus.

Those living in undergraduate campus housing will be able to stay until May 17, when their contracts end. The email stated, however, that some residence halls may be closed and students remaining may be consolidated into fewer locations. According to the email, the campus is waiting for data on how many students will need campus housing before making further decisions.

UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ and Executive Vice Chancellor Paul Alivsatos announced in a campuswide email Friday morning that campus has transitioned to virtual classes for the remainder of the semester.

Despite the current call for virtual classes, the email states that campus may resume in-person instruction at some point during the semester, depending on guidance from public health officials. If in-person classes resume, however, the email also said attendance will not be mandatory for the rest of the semester, so students who have decided to continue remotely will not be penalized.

The email also states that campus officials will support students’ decisions to relocate out of campus housing. One or more residence halls may be closed during this time, and students who choose to remain on campus may be relocated into fewer locations. Other changes may also be made to improve social distancing between students.

Students who decide to move out of campus housing will receive relief from payment obligations from housing contracts if they choose to move out of campus housing or Blackwell Hall, according to the email. Housing that is not owned by the campus, such as student cooperatives, Bowles Hall and fraternities or sororities, have their own housing policies.

Supervisors of student workers were encouraged to find virtual alternatives for student employees who need employee wages to cover basic needs costs but would prefer to leave the campus area. If remote work is not possible, then the UC systemwide policy is for students to receive two weeks of paid administrative leave — according to the email, this would cover many weeks of pay due to the regular hours of student workers.

Berkeley Unified School District announced Thursday that it would be closing all preschools, elementary schools, middle schools and the Berkeley Adult School effective starting Monday.

High schools will be closed starting Friday, according to the message written by BUSD Superintendent Brent Stephens. According to the message, the high school classes will be closed earlier than the other schools in order to allow for high school teachers to explore at-home learning options. The district office will also be closed during these days.

Stephens said in the message that BUSD hopes to reopen April 6, after its spring break ends.

Berkeley High School Athletics also announced in a Tweet that it would be shutting down through spring break.

The Alameda County Public Health Department, or ACPHD, announced today that four new cases of COVID-19 have been diagnosed in the county, two of which are believed to be community-transmitted. ACPHD also promoted the California Department of Public Health’s new guidelines to stall the disease’s spread.

Campus libraries have announced shortened opening hours beginning Friday, according to a campus press release. The Institute of Governmental Studies Library and the Ethnic Studies Library, which are affiliated libraries, have closed.

The UC Education Abroad Program, or UCEAP, suspended European study abroad programs Thursday, after the U.S. Center for Disease Control and state department raised a travel advisory for Europe in response to the COVID-19, more colloquially known as coronavirus, pandemic.

Going into effect on Monday, March 16, the suspension comes in the wake of President Donald Trump’s ban of entry for travelers from Europe to the United States for 30 days. Students abroad are encouraged to return to the United States, according to an email sent to participants about the suspension.

According to the email, this ban will not affect American students and U.S. permanent residents coming home.

Regarding circulating rumors about the cancellation of in-person classes after March 29, campus spokesperson Janet Gilmore said in an email that there has been no decision as of yet.

All Pac-12 competitions, including the current men’s basketball tournament, have been canceled, along with all remaining Cal Athletics competitions. The nonprofit student group Berkeley Project has also canceled its largest service event, Berkeley Project Day, as well as all other in-person campus events.

Beginning Wednesday, 24 students at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism have self-quarantined after possible exposure to COVID-19. The students were instructed to self-quarantine after an attendee of the 2020 National Institute for Computer-Assisted Reporting Conference was tested “presumptively” positive for COVID-19 and returned home, according to an email to students from Graduate School of Journalism Dean Edward Wasserman.

The California Department of Public Health has released more guidelines to help slow COVID-19 transmission, including the postponement or cancellation of all events with more than 250 expected attendees.

Among these guidelines were also suggestions to cancel smaller gatherings where there is not enough space for 6 feet of social distance between all attendees and to cancel gatherings of more than 10 higher-risk individuals.

The UC Berkeley Interfraternity Council, or IFC, announced in a statement Wednesday that all IFC events are suspended in response to concerns about COVID-19, the new coronavirus, as first reported by Berkeleyside.

According to IFC Vice President of Risk Management Kelly Schulte, IFC events including social, philanthropy and fundraising, among others, have been suspended through March 29. Schulte added that IFC will continue to monitor the situation to determine whether to adjust the length of the suspension.

UC Berkeley announced that “intercollegiate athletic events on campus will feature no spectators,” in a statement released Wednesday by Vice Chancellor of Administration Marc Fisher.

This change comes just days after Cal Athletics confirmed that it was not placed under the same restrictions that moved almost all in-person classes online. Cal Athletics has released a statement outlining that only “essential personnel” will be allowed to attend home events beginning Wednesday.

“To help protect at-risk populations and lessen the spread of the rapidly evolving coronavirus situation, attendance at Cal Athletics home events will be limited to essential personnel only, beginning Wednesday,” Cal Athletics said in the press release.

Essential personnel include students athletes, coaches, sports medicine staff, game officials, credentialed media and operational and administrative staff.

Fans who have purchased tickets to spectatorless sporting events have the option of exchanging their tickets, requesting a refund or donating tickets to nonprofit organizations of the ticket holder’s choice.

UC Davis sent a press release Tuesday strongly suggesting faculty use virtual means to teach classes and canceling in-person events with more than 150 individuals in attendance, barring performing arts and UC Davis athletic events. The press release also called off in-person finals.

The final undergraduate UC campus, UC Merced, also called for faculty to consider using virtual tools for instruction.

Berkeley City College also canceled its face-to-face classes, as did College of Alameda, Laney College and Merritt College, on Tuesday over concerns about the health risks of COVID-19.

According to a press release from the Peralta Colleges’ health services page, classes are canceled from March 11 to March 14 in order to allow faculty to attend trainings and explore options to transition to online instruction. The colleges and their district office will remain open during this time.

The Berkeley Forum canceled its event with Venmo co-founder Andrew Kortina on Sunday over concerns about health risks and campus closures with COVID-19.

The event, which was scheduled for Wednesday, will be postponed until later this semester or put in next semester’s lineup, according to a Facebook post from the student organization. Berkeley Forum also canceled a speaker event Feb. 24 over health concerns.

The Berkeley community was notified in a press release Tuesday by the Berkeley Unified School District, or BUSD, that large BUSD events are canceled through the end of March but that schools will remain open.

This decision was in response to the city of Berkeley receiving new guidance from Berkeley health officer Dr. Lisa Hernandez, which aligns with guidance issued by the Alameda County Public Health Department.

According to the guidance, the city recommends postponing or canceling nonessential mass gatherings and large community events. All BUSD schools will remain open, as recommended by the city of Berkeley.

BUSD Superintendent Brent Stephens added in the press release that out of caution, he has asked that school assemblies, performances and evening gatherings at schools, such as PTA gatherings and open houses, scheduled to take place in March be canceled.

Field trips and a majority of athletic events will proceed, but some large sports events may have to be canceled if they fall into the public health guidance.

There is a possibility of school closure if a student, teacher or staff member tests positive for COVID-19 and exposes others at the school, according to the BUSD press release.

UC Santa Cruz has suspended on-campus classes beginning Wednesday through April 3, according to a press release UC Santa Cruz Chancellor Cynthia Larive published Tuesday.

Lecture and discussion classes will be held online, but classes that must meet in person, such as lab courses, will continue in person if necessary. Winter quarter final exams will be conducted virtually, as will be the first week of the spring quarter.

All campus-sponsored events with more than 50 planned attendees are postponed, according to the press release, which also suggested exploring alternative meeting methods for gatherings with fewer than 50 attendees.

UC Riverside will be holding its spring quarter online through April 3, according to a campuswide email sent by UC Riverside Chancellor Kim Wilcox and Interim Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Thomas Smith.

Instructors were also advised to prepare for the possibility of classes being held online after April 3 as well, though the continuation of online classes will be confirmed at a later date.

UC Irvine has canceled in-person classes, calling upon instructors to “exercise flexibility and to adjust their course practices and policies” in a press release from UC Irvine Chancellor Howard Gillman published Tuesday.

Winter quarter final exams will be administered online and UC Irvine’s spring quarter will begin remotely, according to the press release. Students living in on-campus housing are also being called to return to their off-campus residences and to stay off campus for the spring quarter. Students who remain on campus will receive instruction remotely, according to the press release, which also says on-campus dining halls will remain open.

UCLA has canceled in-person classes “wherever possible” and said instructors should plan to use online platforms through April 10, according to a press release from UCLA Chancellor Gene Block published Tuesday afternoon.

Winter quarter final exams at UCLA will be held virtually, according to the press release, which also encourages students to begin the spring quarter remotely. UCLA housing will remain open through the campus’s spring break, as will other facets of campus including clinics, hospitals and laboratories, but the campus is calling for nonessential in-person events with more than 100 people in attendance to be canceled.

UC Santa Barbara has also canceled in-person classes until the end of April, which includes the rest of the campus’s winter quarter and the beginning the campus’s spring quarter, according to a campuswide email sent Tuesday afternoon by UC Santa Barbara Chancellor Henry Yang and first reported by the Daily Nexus.

UC San Diego Chancellor Pradeep Khosla and Executive Vice Chancellor Elizabeth Simmons released guidelines on how the campus will respond to fears regarding COVID-19 spread Monday night, including calling for professors to not require attendance for the remainder of UCSD’s winter quarter.

The guidelines, disseminated through a UCSD campuswide email, stated that all lectures and discussions will be virtual, and the email suggested using Zoom to hold meetings. Classes with in-person requirements, such as studio courses, will continue to meet in person for the time being.

The city of Berkeley provided potential COVID-19, the new coronavirus, outbreak recommendations for businesses.

Individuals who own or run a business are advised to adopt policies and practices that support current public health recommendations. The press release added that businesses should plan ahead to take stricter measures when risk levels increase and to follow the business preparedness recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC.

“If you own or run a business, now is the time to get ready for the impact of increased coronavirus spread within the Bay Area,” the press release reads.

The city is specifically recommending to remind employees to stay at home if they are sick, emphasize the importance of healthy behaviors within the business, perform routine cleaning, prepare to support “social distancing” and to utilize workplace healthy behaviors materials created by the CDC and the city.

It is recommended to verbally remind employees, use all-staff memos and signage in common areas to ensure all employees are aware that they should not be coming to work when ill, according to the press release.

Workplace policies that are noted are to send sick employees home immediately, adopt non-punitive sick leave policies so employees don’t have incentives to come to work sick and to not require a doctor’s note when employees stay home, as health care providers may not be able to provide documentation in a timely manner due to the increased spread of COVID-19.

The press release also added that businesses should regularly clean your facility, including common areas and frequently touched surfaces such as doorknobs, tables, and workstations with standard cleaning agents. Businesses who think there has been potential exposure at their facilities should follow CDC guidance for cleaning and disinfection.

Wednesday’s ASUC Senate meeting will continue in person, but a link has been sent for senators and persons who would like to join the meeting virtually, according to a public notice email sent by ASUC Executive Vice President Andy Theocharous.

Vice Chancellor for Research Randy Katz sent a campuswide email Monday outlining measures the research community should take to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and plan for significant changes in staffing.

Katz asked in the email that all campus labs and research facilities require unwell personnel to stay home, standardize personal hygiene measures and allow “social distancing,” like spacing researchers out and separating shifts. He also discouraged traveling and attendance of conferences, recommending that researchers cancel or postpone research field trips.

Campus will continue to prioritize the safety and good health of researchers and research animals, according to Katz, who said in the email that researchers and lab facilities should be prepared to decontaminate work spaces if a researcher becomes ill. He also recommended that researchers should prepare for the potential for restricted building or laboratory access.

“Individual labs and research facilities are best positioned to create a continuity plan that will meet their unique needs,” Katz said in the email.

Chancellor Carol Christ sent a campuswide email Tuesday around 1:25 p.m. announcing the suspension of most in-person classes to students.

She added that all campus sponsored events with plans for more than 150 attendees will be canceled or postponed, though this does not include events scheduled by Cal Performances or Intercollegiate Athletics. She said campus administration discourage in-person gatherings with less than 150 attendees.

“In our assessment of the current situation, including the likelihood that the Berkeley campus could have a coronavirus case at any time, we believe that this is the best action for our campus community and the broader Berkeley community,” Christ said in the email.

According to Christ, a decision on how to proceed will be made at a later time, based on how the information regarding the disease progresses.

Nearly all in-person classes have been canceled beginning Tuesday until March 29, according to a facultywide email sent about noon Monday.

The email, sent by Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Paul Alivisatos and Academic Senate chair Oliver O’Reilly, was sent to all campus instructors and called for instructors to organize online class processes. If instructors do not have online class processes organized by Tuesday, then the email said instructors have until Thursday to establish online classes and resume as usual.

“As local, national, and global public health recommendations shift to include mitigation of transmission, we are proactively taking steps that will help to protect the community,” the email said.

Attendance policies campuswide have been suspended, according to the email, and students cannot be penalized for nonattendance. Students who are concerned with their attendance policies or who are being told to attend in-person classes should contact their department chair or school dean.

The email also emphasized that campus will not be closing during this period. Classrooms will be accessible by instructors and instructors may meet with each other on campus. Campus operations will also remain normal, but there may be limited operations because employers across campus will be encouraging employees to work from home, when possible.

“Many courses on this campus have been refined with thought and care over decades,” the email reads. “We appreciate that revising these courses to make them amendable to online delivery in a short period of time will be taxing and we ask members of the instructional community to help each other by sharing resources and expertise.”