City of Corona

For Immediate Release
March 16, 2020

CORONA, CA– The City of Corona declared a local emergency today to increase efforts to protect the community from the coronavirus (COVID-19). In conjunction with the declaration of local emergency, the City of Corona will be closing non-essential facilities beginning March 17 until further notice.

The City’s local emergency declaration follows President Trump’s National Emergency declaration on March 13, California’s declaration of a state of emergency on March 4, and Riverside County’s local public health emergency declaration on March 8. The declaration will allow the City to access state and federal resources, including funds related to COVID-19, should they be made available and activate emergency plans to be prepared for any further developments. The declaration will be brought before City Council for ratification at the City Council meeting on Wednesday, March 18.

In addition to the Friday, March 13 closure of the Corona Senior Center, the City will close Corona City Hall, sports fields as used for organized sports, and all community centers, including the Corona Public Library and Circle City Center, to the public. A complete list of facility closures and event cancellations is available here.

Essential City services, including Police, Fire, and utilities, will continue without disruptions.

Online services, including permitting and bill payments, will remain open and available. For utility services, a complete list of payment options is available here. In an effort to support the community, the Corona Department of Water and Power has suspended service disconnections for non-payment of services until April 15. Late payments will be accepted without penalty for 30 days following the return of service disconnections.

“We want our community to know that the City is taking every step necessary to safeguard the well-being of our residents,” said Mayor Jim Steiner. “The City of Corona is a unique, unified community. I invite our residents to continue to step up and support each other during this challenging and fluid situation. Be kind, empathetic, and respect local mandates. By protecting ourselves and each other, we will each do our part to slow the progression of COVID-19.”

The City of Corona is still holding its scheduled City Council meeting on Wednesday, March 18. While community members are advised to take recommended precautions and exercise social distancing during the current COVID-19 public health emergency, it's important to continue to encourage public input related to civic matters. As such, members of the public who wish to stay home but desire to comment on an item are invited to submit comments related to the March 18 City Council meeting agenda by emailing CityClerk@CoronaCA.gov.  All comments submitted before 6 p.m. on March 18 will be read aloud at the meeting. The meeting will be live-streamed on the City's website, Facebook, and  YouTube Channel.

The City of Corona encourages residents to stay informed by visiting www.CoronaCA.gov/COVID-19. The webpage includes links to reliable sources of information, along with guides on how to protect themselves and their families. Corona residents are also encouraged to stay connected with their City by subscribing to eNotifications.

About the City of Corona: Corona is located adjacent to Orange County California at the junction of the 91 and 15 freeways with a population of more than 160,000 residents. For more information regarding the City of Corona visit www.CoronaCA.gov.

Media Contact
Cindy Solis
Community Information Specialist, City of Corona
951-739-4948
Cindy.Solis@CoronaCA.gov 

###