Water and power shutoffs halted through April for Glendale residents affected by coronavirus
Glendale residents who can’t pay their water and power bills won’t have their services shut off through the month of April, as city officials attempt to ease the potential financial strain caused by efforts to contain the novel coronavirus.
Suspensions are halted “to give the opportunity for folks to make payments, as necessary, if they need to, based on any sort of financial changes that may have happened in their lives, based on COVID-19,” City Manager Yasmin Beers said during an emergency meeting held Monday afternoon.
As of Tuesday evening, county health officials confirmed three cases of the virus in the city.
Since the meeting, the city has suspended enforcement of street sweeping restrictions in residential areas through at least the end of March.
The announcement about the shutoff delay was made shortly before City Council members declared a local state of emergency and enacted a host of measures aimed at reducing the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.
Effective at midnight last night, all restaurants were ordered to serve only takeout or to-go items, and all bars, nightclubs, banquet halls and hookah lounges without food service were required to close.
Movie theaters, live-entertainment venues, gyms, fitness centers and bowling alleys also must shutter.
Grocery stores, pharmacies, farmer’s markets and food banks will remain open.
City Council members opted to remove a provision that would have allowed tenants to use income loss related to the novel coronavirus as a defense in eviction proceedings.
Los Angeles officials have adopted similar restrictions on restaurants and businesses, as well as an emergency just-cause eviction provision.
The emergency order is in effect until March 31.