CITY OF OAKLAND: Temporarily Suspends Indoor Recreation Programs Due to Rise in COVID-19 Cases

By Press release submission

Dec 6, 2020

City of Oakland issued the following announcement on Dec 2.

Due to the recent spike in COVID-19 cases (10,733 current cases as of November 30, 2020 in Oakland per Alameda County Public Health Department), and coupled with the fact that the holiday season and gatherings are anticipated to play a major role in the rise of COVID-19 infections for Oakland families, Oakland Parks, Recreation & Youth Development (OPYRD) is temporarily suspending the Town Camp Enrichment Program.

OPRYD provided in-person enrichment programs throughout the summer, and has continued in-person programming at the recreation centers since the beginning of the school year. We realize that this will be a burden on some families. However, we feel it is gravely necessary for us to play our part to control the spread of COVID-19, for both the customers we serve AND our own staff and their families.

We will continue following Alameda County Public Health guidelines and protocols over the next few weeks, and will communicate when we feel we can safely resume indoor programming.

Outdoor-based youth programming (golf, tennis, and other outdoor-based programs) will continue to operate at this time. Only the indoor-based enrichment programs at the various recreation centers are being temporarily suspended.

Human Services Department

Oakland Head Start, in alignment with Alameda County Public Health guidance, remains open for in-person services, as well as virtual services. Given current conditions and anticipated increases in post-holiday cases, all Oakland Head Start families will have an extended winter break and centers will be closed December 21st through January 8, reopening on January 11. All families will be served virtually during the extra weeks of winter break.

If a staff or child tests positive, families attending impacted Centers are notified immediately, the impacted Center is closed for two weeks from the last date of exposure and staff and families are advised to isolate, watch for symptoms, and get tested if needed. After that two-week period, Centers can safely re-open. For updates, go to the Head Start website, or call: (510) 238-3165.

Senior Centers are not open for in-person services based on public health guidance. However, all Senior Centers are providing food—both pick-up and delivery meals—virtual classes, and Information and Referral services. See contact information below for specific senior centers or visit us on-line: https://www.oaklandca.gov/topics/senior-services.

East Oakland Senior Center: Lilian Uwuseba, Director (510) 615-5731
West Oakland Senior Center: Dorothy Poston, Director (510) 238-7017
North Oakland Senior Center: Kayla Brown, Director (510) 597-5085
Downtown Oakland Senior Center: Jennifer King, Director (510) 238-3284

Senior services Information & Assistance (I&A) provides an access point for services and supports for older adults’ independence. Call either of our I&A Specialists for help:

Monday-Thursday 10am-2pm (510) 615-5733
Wednesday-Friday 10am-2pm (510) 597-5085

Community Housing services to homeless residents also remain open and in full operation. Oakland residents interested in supporting unsheltered residents with supplies or food are encouraged by Public Health experts to work through the network of homeless services providers to reduce risk of increased exposure for unsheltered residents.

There are no changes to Oakland Public Library services. Indoor areas remain closed until further notice. Sidewalk Service is offered at 16 locations during limited hours. Library materials may be returned in outdoor bookdrops at any location. Library items are quarantined 96 hours before being checked in.

To sign up for a library card, please complete an online application. To reach an OPL reference librarian, email eanswers@oaklandlibrary.org or call (510) 238-3134.

Original source can be found here.