Officials have reported a total of 264 positive cases of COVID-19 in Alameda County. This total does not include the City of Berkeley, which has its own public health department. The County does not release data at the city level, and the public does not know how many of those cases are in Oakland.
Oakland City Council adopts moratorium on evictions
The Oakland City Council passed an emergency ordinance prohibiting the eviction of residential and commercial tenants, Lynda Carson reports for Indybay. The ordinance includes a rent freeze that will last until May 31. Oakland Reporter breaks down what the moratorium does and does not do.
A number of tenants in Oakland announced plans to join the Bay Area Rent Strike.
Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order banning the enforcement of eviction orders until June.
Highland Hospital nurses protest for protections
Oakland healthcare workers at Alameda Health System will not have to use their vacation time if they become infected with COVID-19 at work. Last week, nurses, doctors, and other healthcare workers protested outside of Highland Hospital. Issues raised include compensation, but also concerns about shortages of personal protective equipment for workers and masks for patients.
AC Transit service modified
AC Transit announced a modification of schedules starting tomorrow. Most lines will operate on schedules similar to the reduced Sunday service.
AC Transit will maintain its “trunk lines,” the lines with greatest demand, but will temporarily suspend a number of weekday-only lines. School trippers, the 600 series serving local schools, were already suspended.
AC Transit reports a 90 percent decline in Transbay ridership. The only lines that will continue are the F, NL, O lines, and overnight 800 line.
AC Transit is currently letting passengers ride for free, and requiring passengers to board through the rear doors.
Oakland grocery stores respond to COVID-19
East Bay grocery stores are responding to COVID-19, Momo Chang reports.
- Community Foods Market – In West Oakland, open 10a-7pm and provides a discount to CalFresh/SNAP on Wednesdays.
- Mandela Grocery Cooperative – Open 9a-6pm daily, with 9-1am reserved for seniors and those with compromised immune systems. Mandela offers half off for fruits and veggies for those using SNAP/EBT.
- Trader Joes – Open 9am-7pm daily. Limits number of shoppers.
- Safeway Stores – Open 7am-9pm and has special times for elders, pregnant women, and immuno-compromised residents 7-9am on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There are no stories in the flatlands of Oakland.
- Whole Foods Market – Changed hours to 9am-8pm with hours for 60 and over 8-9am daily.
Other Oakland coronavirus news
An Oakland airport worker tested positive for the coronavirus last week, CBS reports. The Peralta Colleges announced its four colleges and district offices will remain closed through the rest of the semester. A student town hall will take place on April 1.
Rasheed Shabazz is a multimedia storyteller, urban planning historian, and youth development professional based in the Bay Area. He is co-director of Oakland Voices. He recently completed his Masters of City and Regional Planning at UC Berkeley.
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