Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer
Accessibility Tools
- Check if your spelling is correct, or try removing filters.
- Remove quotes around phrases to match each word individually: "blue drop" will match less than blue drop.
- You can require or exclude terms using + and -: big +blue drop will require a match on blue while big blue -drop will exclude results that contain drop.
Protecting the health of all San Diegans is our top priority. The City of San Diego is taking measures in consultation with and at the direction of, County public health officials to help prevent the spread of the Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.
Jump to:
About Coronavirus (COVID-19)
About Coronavirus (COVID-19)The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is emphasizing that while the current COVID-19 poses a potentially serious public health threat, the risk to individuals is dependent on exposure.
Most common symptoms include:
- Fever
- Cough or shortness of breath
- Headache
COVID-19 is most likely spread from droplets from coughing and sneezing, and symptoms may appear in as few as two days, or as long as 14 days, after exposure.
There is currently no specific treatment for COVID-19, however, most people with this infection will recover on their own. For patients who are more severely ill, hospitals can provide supportive care.
If you think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, contact your health care provider immediately.
San Diego at Home
The California State Public Health Officer and Director of the California Department of Public Health on March 19, 2020, ordered all individuals living in the State of California to stay home or at their place of residence, except as needed to maintain continuity of operation of the federal critical infrastructure sectors, critical government services, schools, childcare, and construction, including housing construction.
Read the full 
Executive Order.
The state order reinforces and expands upon guidance Mayor Faulconer previously put into law this week to combat the virus, such as limiting public gatherings, prohibiting the operation of bars, and requiring restaurants to only serve patrons with to-go or delivery orders. The City of San Diego is also developing eviction and economic relief packages.
The order requires Californians to stay at home with certain exceptions, including caregiving, getting necessary health care, purchasing groceries and working to support an essential industry. San Diegans are still able to participate in outdoor activities such as walking, jogging and biking, as well as volunteering, as long as they follow the social distancing requirement of at least six feet.
Critical industries that can continue operating, as outlined by the state, include:
- Essential state and local government functions
- Health care providers
- Food and grocery services including food banks, convenience stores, and take-out and delivery restaurants
- Pharmacies
- Financial institutions including banks
- Entities that provide food, shelter, social services and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged
- Laundromats and laundry services
- Newspapers, television, radio, and other media services
More information on the state order, including what’s closed, what’s open and which industries are exempted by the state can be found on the California COVID-19 response website.
Steps the City Is Taking
- On March 12, 2020, Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer issued a State of Emergency for the City of San Diego. The order follows updates from the County of San Diego and Governor Gavin Newsom regarding the threat of the COVID-19 virus. This procedural action ensures the City can act swiftly without unnecessary restriction and authorizes the City’s Executive Leadership to issue emergency contracts if necessary to carry out City business and help combat the spread of the virus.
- On March 16, 2020, Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer issued an executive order further limiting gatherings, closing bars and restaurant dining, and implementing other emergency rules within the City of San Diego.
- On March 30, 2020, Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer issued an executive order expanding on the previous order. The new order declares all City of San Diego employees as disaster service workers and directed other actions including streamlining medical supply delivery, extending building permits and waiving fees. It will be in effect from March 30, 2020, and will continue through April 30, 2020, unless extended.
- City of San Diego Operations – View Status of City Services
- All City of San Diego public buildings are closed to the general public.
- City departments will execute their continuity of operations plans and continue to provide essential services including police, fire-rescue, water, wastewater and trash pick-up.
- City of San Diego Operations – View Status of City Services
- Educational flyers about COVID-19 have been posted at City libraries, recreation centers, homeless shelters and City facilities. Print or download CDC resources for your school or business.
- The City of San Diego continues to monitor COVID-19 and is in close communication with officials from the County of San Diego Department of Health and Human Services. The City will continue to follow their directives including any required quarantines or closures.
Recent City Updates
The following is a list of recent updates from the City of San Diego. For information regarding cases, information and directives from the County of San Diego, please visit www.coronavirus-sd.com.
- Mayoral Executive Order COVID-19 3/30/20
- Mayoral Executive Order COVID-19 3/16/20
- Proclamation of Local Emergency 3/12/20
- Memo re: COVID-19 Preparations 3/10/20
- Boards and Commissions: Effective immediately, all City Board and Commission meetings are suspended through the end of March, consistent with the Governor’s order on March 12 (attached). During that time, the City will evaluate how to reconvene essential meetings using social distancing guidelines and/or using remote conferencing should the Governor’s order remain in effect past the end of March.
- Community Planning Groups: Please see memo from Planning Department Director regarding Community Planning Group meetings.
- Office of the City Clerk: Please see the update regarding City Council meetings.
Homeless Services
Operation Shelter to Home in the San Diego Convention Center & Golden Hall
The Regional Task Force on the Homeless in partnership with our region’s cities, the County of San Diego, San Diego Housing Commission and homeless service providers have developed a new, system-wide, coordinated plan to further help sheltered and unsheltered individuals remain healthy during the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Dubbed “Operation Shelter to Home,” the temporary repurposing of Golden Hall and the San Diego Convention Center in the City of San Diego as shelters will support a broader regional approach to address homelessness during this state of emergency.
Learn more about this regional effort
How can I get help or help someone in need?
If it is an emergency, please call 9-1-1 immediately. For non-emergencies, you can call 2-1-1 or visit 211sandiego.org. For members of the public who do not have access to a medical provider, 2-1-1 has a nurse triage line.
NOTE: At this time, the Convention Center is not accepting intake of unsheltered individuals. Please check back for the latest information.
Business Relief and Support
To ensure the resiliency of local businesses and assist in job retention, the City of San Diego has established a Small Business Relief Fund (SBRF) to provide grants and forgivable or low- to zero-interest-rate loans to eligible small businesses for working capital. Visit the Economic Development Department Business Relief and Support page.
Residential and Commercial Eviction Moratorium
To prevent homelessness, maintain public health, and bring housing and business stability during the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of San Diego has enacted an eviction moratorium that provides relief to residential and commercial tenants facing hardship related to COVID-19. The emergency law temporarily halts evictions in the City of San Diego from March 25 - May 31, 2020. Tenants must demonstrate a substantial decrease in income or medical expenses caused by COVID-19 in order to qualify. It will not relieve a tenant of their requirement to pay rent or restrict a landlord from recovering rent at a future time.
Public Schools
All public school districts in San Diego County will be closing schools starting Monday, March 16 in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The schools will reopen April 6, unless conditions call for an extension. For information on the schools, visit the San Diego County Office of Education website.
Public Transit
The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and County of San Diego have partnered to place handwashing stations at all 53 Trolley stations, plus the UTC Transit Center amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. MTS will also staff additional cleaning crews at their busiest transit centers throughout the day. For the latest rider information related to COVID-19, please visit the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System Public Health web page.
Prevention
The CDC recommends everyday actions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19:
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60-95% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Routinely clean and disinfect surfaces that are frequently touched including doorknobs, telephones, desks, keyboards, and light switches.
Be Prepared
Households, businesses and schools should be prepared for any kind of emergency. Have extra food, water, medical supplies and a first aid kit on hand. Visit the County of San Diego’s COVID-19 website to learn more to prepare specifically for this virus.
Stay Informed
Stay informed on COVID-19 by visiting the Center for Disease Control website, and the County of San Diego Health and Human Services website.
Travel
If you are planning to travel, read the CDC’s Traveler’s Health Notices for the latest guidance and recommendations to protect yourself and others.
U.S. – Mexico Border
The federal governments of the United States and Mexico announced March 20, 2020, new limitations to the U.S.-Mexico border. Essential personnel and commerce such as food, fuel, healthcare and life-saving medicines will be unimpeded during this time and all non-essential travel will be suspended. Non-essential travel includes travel that is considered tourism or recreational in nature.
The new limitations will commence at 00:01 Saturday, March 21, 2020, throughout the US-Mexico land border for a period of 30 days subject to extension upon review. View a list of essential workforce.
Volunteer
Many San Diegans are in need during this time. Please see a list of organizations below seeking volunteers. You can also visit 211sandiego.org for more opportunities.
211 San Diego
Phone: 211 211 San Diego Website
Jacobs and Cushman San Diego Food Bank
Phone: 866-350-FOOD Jacobs and Cushman San Diego Food Bank Website
San Diego Blood Bank
Serving Seniors
Red Cross of San Diego and Imperial Counties
Phone: 1-800-RED-CROSS Red Cross of San Diego and Imperial Counties Website
Feeding San Diego
Meals on Wheels San Diego County
Phone: 619-260-6110 Meals on Wheels San Diego County Website
Additional Resources
Join the California Health Corps - California is preparing for an increase in the number of people who urgently need health care in our communities during the COVID-19 outbreak. To ensure adequate staff for health care sites throughout California, the state is calling on healthcare providers, behavioral health professionals, and health care administrators to register today.