While most city of Santa Monica employees are working from home during the coronavirus pandemic, some services still need people out in the field and are adapting their operations to protect workers and residents.

In interviews with the Daily Press last week, city leaders said first responders are wearing personal protective equipment when necessary, monitoring their health and preparing for the lockdown’s possible consequences on public safety.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/city-services-adapting-to-new-reality/188714

Santa Monica issued an order Wednesday authorizing the City’s Building Officer to shut down construction work on projects that fail to follow social distancing and hygiene requirements.

The order issued by City Manager Rick Cole requires installing handwashing facilities or hand sanitizer at entrances to construction projects and sanitizing shared tools and equipment at the sites.

Read More: http://www.surfsantamonica.com/ssm_site/the_lookout/news/News-2020/April-2020/04_01_2020_City_Orders_Construction_Projects_to_Follow_Coronavirus_Protocols.html

AND: https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2020/04/01/local-construction-sites-must-observe-safer-at-home-orders

by Rick Cole

It’s been eleven days since Governor Newsom’s “stay at home” order went into effect – and we are all adjusting to the new normal. No one knows how long this will last, but it seems like it will be at least a month under these – or even harsher – restrictions. 

I can’t emphasize enough the gratitude I have for everyone who is doing their part by staying home. 

Life has changed dramatically for Santa Monica, as it has across Southern California.  

Read More: https://www.santamonica.gov/blog/our-new-normal-at-home

What you need to know if you’re a renter in California during the coronavirus pandemic .

The pandemic and the economic devastation it has caused have led many renters to wonder how they’re going to pay rent on April 1 — after weeks of being asked to stay home and, in some cases, not work to slow the spread of the virus.

From eviction bans to mortgage relief, here’s a guide to protections for renters and homeowners in California.

Read More: https://www.latimes.com/homeless-housing/story/2020-03-30/

With millions of people suddenly out of work and rent due at the first of the month, some tenants are vowing to go on a rent strike until the coronavirus pandemic subsides.

New York, Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and St. Louis are among many cities that have temporarily banned evictions, but advocates for the strike are demanding that rent payments be waived, not delayed, for those in need during the crisis. The rent strike idea has taken root in parts of North America and as far away as London.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/rent-strike-idea-gaining-steam-during-coronavirus-crisis/188592

By Seema Verma

Administrator, U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Since older Americans are particularly vulnerable to coronavirus (COVID-19), I wanted to let you know the steps we’re taking to help our Medicare beneficiaries cope with the pandemic.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/your-column-here-letter-to-the-editor-medicare-and-coronavirus-what-you-need-to-know/188606

Jon Coupal is president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association

From many corners, California politicians and tax officials are under increasing pressure to extend the current April 10 deadline for paying property tax bills.

The request is not unreasonable and there are many ways that government can assist homeowners who are under threat of hefty penalties or tax foreclosures.

The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, California’s leading protector of homeowners, has received numerous inquiries in the last three weeks of this crisis.

Read More: https://www.dailynews.com/2020/03/28/pressure-mounts-for-tax-relief/

California Gov. Gavin Newsom gave cash-strapped California renters 60 days to figure out how to pay three months rent.

Newsom signed an executive order Friday, March 27, banning all evictions through May 31 if a tenant is unable to pay his or her rent due to the the novel coronavirus outbreak.

Read More: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/newsom-orders-moratorium-on-rental-evictions-due-yo-coronavirus-through-may-31/ar-BB11OiFl?ocid=hplocalnews

by Gary Rhoades, Deputy City Attorney in the Public Rights Division of the Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office

After our review of guidelines from the Center on Disease Control, public health orders limiting work to what is essential, and recently published best practices from the service industries and the apartment owners associations, here are some general guidelines and best practices:

• COVID-19 is highly contagious and the virus can last for days on several types of surfaces. Therefore, do not enter homes, especially the homes of those with COVID-19 risk factors, unless it is critical repair or emergency involving a condition that makes the apartment uninhabitable.

By Gary Rhoades

Deputy City Attorney in the Public Rights Division of the Santa Monica City Attorney’s Office.

On March 19, 2020, the Santa Monica City Council ratified the City’s emergency moratorium on certain types of notices, terminations of tenancy, and evictions. The City passed the temporary moratorium as a part of its emergency order in response to the pandemic emergency related to the spread of COVID-19, and as a part of the necessary measures taken in order to protect the public health and safety of its residents, workers, and visitors.

Under the statewide and countywide shelter-in-place orders and guidance, tenants should be staying at home rather than being subject to evictions or forced to look for another place to live. Also, along with the Governor of the State of California’s statewide shelter-in-place order, he has since expressly authorized cities to suspend evictions during the crisis.

Santa Monica’s emergency order is now in effect through April 30, 2020, and the City Council may extend it.

Read More: https://www.smdp.com/consumer-corner-santa-monicas-temporary-moratorium-of-tenancy-terminations-and-evictions/188296