On Friday, March 13, 2020 the City of Salida issued a COVID-19 Action Plan, dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, in conjunction with Chaffee County Officials and in similar fashion as the Town of Buena Vista. At the time, the City response was set as a Tier II, the same as for Buena Vista.
Touber Building Sign where Salida City Council meetings are held (Photo by Taylor Sumners)
At 9:00 p.m. tonight, Sunday, March 15 the City of Salida issued a new press release, updating Salida to a Tier III level. It should be noted that at the time of the announcement, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Chaffee County. There are multiple cases within the region; in the surrounding counties of Summit, Gunnison, Eagle, Pitkin counties (see companion news piece). The City of Salida COVID-19 Action plan is listed on the City website and details of Tiers I through IV are also available here.
City Hall remains open to the public; however, the City strongly encourages all patrons to look at other options for conducting business with the City (website, email, mail, telephone).
The City Council meetings for both March 16th and 17th will still be held; members of the public wishing to comment on action items are strongly encouraged to provide their feedback in writing rather than in person, which will be read into the public record.
All meetings are also broadcast on Channel 191 and on YouTube, which are great alternatives to attending in person. The City will continue to evaluate conditions daily and implement appropriate actions as outlined in the COVID-19 Action Plan.
Mayor P.T. Wood continues to ask the public for patience and diligence. “It is very important that the community look to social distancing to slow the spread of COVID-19. We are striving to remain open to conduct the people’s business,” he said. “Citizens have multiple ways of accessing services that do not require person-to-person contact, and we hope the public will turn to these alternatives for both convenience and to avoid non-essential gathering in public places.”
In addition to the directives contained in Tier II, the new Tier III states that:
- Employees will be directed to stay home (or go home) if they or any family member they live with is exhibiting any symptoms, or if they are high risk. Employees staying home will not be required to use sick leave, but will treat it as regular pay. This provision would temporarily suspend Section 3.5.E. of the City of Salida Personnel Manual requiring medical certification of illness. This includes any part-time employees currently ineligible for sick leave.
- Elimination of any City meetings or events (unless able to be done remotely).
- Recreation programs are shut down, including closure of Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center, the SteamPlant Event Center, and the Rotary Scout Hut. Specific closure dates shall be established by Department Heads and announced via press release.
- Teleworking and staggered shifts are authorized for city employees. Departments will continue to roll out additional measures or plans to allow employees to work remotely, when feasible.
- Departments must take additional steps they have identified to limit exposure between employees and between employees and members of the public.
- Reduced staffing of city buildings has been authorized. Departments will take steps to ensure City Buildings are minimally staffed, but public spaces are very limited.
- Heightened level of sanitization of spaces including additional germicide spraying.
- Selected City Staff have PPE on hand and begin utilization, as appropriate.
- Public events (other than official meetings of City boards) scheduled to take place in City-owned facilities are suspended until further notice. The Salida community is strongly encouraged to engage in social distancing and to postpone or cancel any gatherings where people will congregate in large numbers and/or in close contact with one another.
- Other steps [may be taken] as directed by State and Local Health authorities
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