By Kathryn Dunn | editor@claremont-courier.com

The city of Claremont is following orders from the governor and the county in response to stopping the spread of coronavirus. As of Sunday, March 22, the Los Angeles County Public Health Department has reported 409 cases of COVID-19 in LA County and five deaths.

Starting today, Monday March 23, all city buildings will be closed and employees will move to telecommuting, shift work and flex schedules. The Claremont Police Department is in full operation, as is sanitation, maintenance and the drive-through senior meal pick up at the Joslyn.

The police department has suspended giving overnight parking citations across the city until May 1. The police department lobby is closed to visitors except those with a child exchange court order, someone in eminent danger or people who must check in as part of parole or conditions of release.

The city has closed its park restrooms and playgrounds, due to new restrictions from the state regarding supplies and sanitizing restrooms. The Claremont Hills Wilderness Park (CHWP) is also closed, but Thompson Creek Trail remains open.

The city declared a local emergency Thursday afternoon as a precautionary action so that it can access resources quickly, if needed.

The five deaths of individuals testing positive for coronavirus include residents of Culver City, Miracle Mile and Del Rey, who were all older than 65 with underlying health conditions; a man in his 30’s with underlying health conditions from an unincorporated area outside of Pasadena; and a woman in her 60s with underlying health issues who was visiting family in Walnut.

No cases of coronavirus have been identified in the city of Claremont.