Newsroom

The City of Monterey is asking residents, businesses and nonprofits to donate spare, new N95-rated masks to help protect first responders. The City maintains a supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) for use by firefighters, police officers and public works staff. Due to high demand and a potential increase in COVID-19 emergency calls, the City is asking members of the public to donate any spare additional PPE they may have in their possession. 

Starting on Wednesday, April 1, 2020, donations can be dropped off in front of the Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, located at 353 Camino El Estero, Monday to Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Only new masks, sealed in unopened packaging, will be accepted until Friday, April 10. NEWS RELEASE IN PDF

Starting the week of March 16, the City of Monterey launched Operation Outreach, a citywide effort to support Monterey's most vulnerable populations, including older adults and the immune-compromised, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The closure of city facilities, including the Monterey Sports Center, Scholze Park Center (formerly the Monterey Senior Center), Monterey Public Library, as well as other community centers and museums, has resulted in a need for our vulnerable populations to connect in other ways than in-person. NEWS RELEASE IN PDF

SPECIAL NOTICE REGARDING PUBLIC MEETINGS - see monterey.org/coronavirus for more information

To help slow the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus):

• MEETING CHANGES: The frequency and length of public meetings, including the City Council, boards and commissions, will be minimized. Non-urgent and non-essential City business with expected public feedback will be postponed.
• SOCIAL DISTANCING AND ASYMPTOMATIC: Individuals attending public meetings in person will be required to maintain appropriate social distancing, (i.e., maintain a 6-foot distance) and be free of symptoms related to COVID-19.
• WATCHING FROM HOME: Members of the public are strongly encouraged to observe the live stream of the City Council and other Boards and Commission meetings on the Monterey Channel at https://monterey.org/tv or on television on Channel 25. Rebroadcasts are also available on the Monterey Channel.
• COMMENTING ON AN AGENDA ITEM: If you choose not to attend a City Council meeting but wish to make a comment on a specific agenda item, please submit your comment via email by 5:00 p.m. on the Monday prior to the meeting. Please submit your comment to the City Clerk at cityclerk@monterey.org. Your comment will be placed into the record at the meeting.

FULL NEWS RELEASE IN PDF  | FAQ

City Manager Hans Uslar issued a local emergency proclamation today to help slow the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus). The proclamation will come before the Monterey City Council for ratification at its meeting on Tuesday, March 17. The emergency proclamation coincides with the State’s recent executive orders that provide cities more ability and resources to help contain the new virus. Despite having no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Monterey County to date, scientists and medical experts report that slowing the spread (also known as “flattening the curve”) of COVID-19 by reducing opportunities for transmission will save lives by giving police and fire personnel, hospitals, doctors, and vaccine-manufacturers time to respond and prepare for the outbreak. 

First on the list of new protocols are city facility closures, and city programs and event cancellations or postponements beginning Saturday, March 14 through at least March 31, 2020. 

“Our priority, first and foremost, is the health and welfare of the Monterey community.  While our community centers, library, museums, and sports center are valued by residents, visitors, and the public, we know that social distancing works and that these closures will help slow the spread of coronavirus in our community,” said City Manager Hans Uslar. “The Monterey community is compassionate, caring, and resilient.  Together, the City of Monterey and its residents, businesses and neighbors, will persevere through this epidemic and protect our community.” 

The City’s decisions are based on the Cal OES (California Office of Emergency Services) directive of three criteria for closures or cancellations: 1) if the gathering involves
over 250 people; 2) if the event allows people to maintain a six foot distance from one another; and 3) if the event attracts people in the high-risk category. The City also considered whether the service or event is essential.

(continued in PDF)

Out of an abundance of caution and in the interest of the safety of our residents, workers, and visitors, the City of Monterey last Friday asked cruise ship agencies to cancel their upcoming cruises into Monterey Bay, and they have complied. NEWS RELEASE IN PDF

The Monterey Police Department is celebrating the City’s 250th birthday with an anniversary badge. For the first time, Monterey Police Officers will wear a “shield” badge. The badge was designed by Monterey Police Officers. NEWS RELEASE IN PDF