State of California Placed on "Stay at Home" Order Effective Thursday, March 19, 2020

The California State Public Health Officer and Director of the California Department of Public Health is ordering all individuals living in the State of California to stay home or at their place of residence except as needed to follow the federal critical infrastructure sectors.

How long will we stay home?

This goes into effect on Thursday, March 19, 2020. The order is in place until further notice.

What can I do? What’s open?

Essential services will remain open such as:

• Gas stations

• Pharmacies

• Food: Grocery stores, farmers markets, food banks, convenience stores, take-out and delivery restaurants

• Banks

• Laundromats/laundry services

Essential state and local government functions will also remain open, including law enforcement and offices that provide government programs and services.

What’s closed?

• Dine-in restaurants

• Bars and nightclubs

• Entertainment venues

• Gyms and fitness studios

• Public events and gatherings

• Convention Centers

Where does this apply?

This is in effect throughout the State of California.

covid19.ca.gov/stay-home-except-for-essential-needs

School Closures Extended through May 1 for All Ventura County Districts

Because of the continued risk to public health posed by the coronavirus, all school districts in Ventura County have extended their closures at least through Friday, May 1, 2020. The new target date to reopen is Monday, May 4, but that will depend on the circumstances at the time. Yesterday, California Governor Gavin Newsom advised parents to prepare for the possibility that schools may be closed through the summer break. While that could happen, the Ventura County Office of Education remains hopeful that conditions will improve enough to allow schools to reopen before the end of the school year. The latest updates on school closures are available at www.vcoe.org/coronavirus.

School districts closed through Friday, May 1, 2020:

• Briggs School District

• Conejo Valley Unified School District

• Fillmore Unified School District

• Hueneme Elementary School District

• Mesa Union School District

• Moorpark Unified School District

• Mupu Elementary School District

• Oak Park Unified School District

• Ocean View School District

• Ojai Unified School District

• Oxnard School District (K-8)

• Oxnard Union High School District

• Pleasant Valley School District

• Rio School District

• Santa Clara Elementary School District

• Santa Paula Unified School District

• Simi Valley Unified School District

• Somis Union School District

• Ventura County Office of Education

• Ventura Unified School District

NOTE: Las Virgenes Unified School District, which includes territory in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, is currently closed through March 27.

The following Ventura County charter schools will be closed through Friday, May 1, 2020:

• Bridges

• CAPE

• MATES

• University Preparation Charter School

• Ventura Charter

• Vista Real resource centers

Meal Service

School districts throughout Ventura County will continue to provide meals to students during the closure. A list of school meal pick up locations and times is available at www.vcoe.org/meals.

Common Questions

The disruption in normal school operations has created many issues and uncertainties – from childcare and remote learning to graduation plans and college preparation. The Ventura County Office of Education has created a page of Frequently Asked Questions to provide answers at www.vcoe.org/faq.

Bars, Nightlife, Bowling, Gyms and More to Close Beginning March 18th in Ventura County to Combat the Spread Covid-19

The following types of businesses in Ventura County are ordered to close effective 12:01 a.m. March 18th to 11:59 p.m. on April 1st, unless changed by the county: Bars and nightclubs that do not serve food, movie theaters, live performance venues, bowling alleys and arcades, gyms, fitness centers and aquatic centers and wineries, breweries, and tap rooms that provide tastings.

Anyone 75+ or 70+ with health issues are ordered to shelter in place of residence until April 1st.

Restaurants may only prepare and offer food for delivery, pick-up or drive-thru.

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Santa Monica Mountains Visitor Center in Calabasas to Close Until Further Notice Due to Covid-19 Situation

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA) is announcing modifications to operations to implement the latest guidance from the White House,

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), and local and state authorities to promote social distancing. As of March 18, 2020, the Santa Monica Mountains Visitor Center at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas, is closed until further notice. All hiking, biking, and equestrian trails, parking lots and restrooms will remain open.

Visitors with any questions are welcome to call 805-370-2301.

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners at SMMNRA is our number one priority. The National Park Service (NPS) is working with federal, state, and local authorities to closely monitor the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. We will notify the public when we resume full operations and provide updates on our website and social media channels.

The NPS urges visitors to do their part when visiting a park and to follow CDC guidance to prevent the spread of infectious diseases by maintaining a safe distance between yourself and other groups; washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze; and most importantly, staying home if you feel sick.

For high-risk populations, such as the elderly and people with underlying conditions, we ask that they take extra caution and follow CDC guidance for those at higher risk of serious illness.

Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus. Please check with www.nps.gov/samo for specific details about park operations.

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA) is the largest urban national park in the country, encompassing more than 150,000 acres of mountains and coastline in Ventura and Los Angeles counties. A unit of the National Park Service, it comprises a seamless network of local, state, and federal parks interwoven with private lands and communities. As one of only five Mediterranean ecosystems in the world, SMMNRA preserves the rich biological diversity of more than 450 animal species and 26 distinct plant communities. For more information, visit nps.gov/samo.

Petersen Automotive Museum to Offer Free Educational Live Streams Amid School Closures

Petersen Automotive Museum to Offer Free Educational Live Streams Amid School Closures

In response to school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the museum — which is temporarily closed until March 31, 2020 — will offer free educational live streams beginning Tuesday, March 17, 2020

For students looking for supplemental learning activities during school closures, the Petersen Automotive Museum will offer free educational live streams twice daily beginning Tuesday, March 17, 2020. Daily presentations will consist of a lecture at 10 a.m. and a hands-on activity at 1 p.m. In addition to live stream programming, the museum will offer downloadable worksheets and coloring sheets. The museum will remain closed to the public until March 31, 2020, or until further notice.

Although lessons are open to parents and children of all ages, the subject matter is targeted for children ages 12 and under. The program schedule is below, and topics are subject to change.

Tuesday, March 17, 10 a.m. – Force and Motion

Cars are about motion. While it may seem simple to press a pedal and move forward, there are dozens of forces interacting that must be balanced to produce motion. From Newton’s laws to different types of energy, students will learn the simple physics behind the automobile.

Tuesday, March 17, 1 p.m. – Balloon Cars

For a car to move, a force must be applied. Students will explore propulsion and Newton’s Third Law of Motion by making their own balloon cars.

Wednesday, March 18, 10 a.m. – History of the Car

Cars have been in existence for more than a century (or longer, depending on when you start). Join the Petersen as it explores the evolution of the automobile.

Wednesday, March 18, 1 p.m. – License Plates

License plates identify vehicles as properly registered with the state but may also serve as a canvas. Students will create their own license plates and decorate them to show off something about their home state.

Thursday, March 19, 10 a.m. – Storytime Featuring “Go, Dog, Go!” By P.D. Eastman

Students will read the beloved tale about dogs and their cars.

Thursday, March 19, 1 p.m. – Animal Cars

Students will make a car of their favorite animal with materials found around the house.

Friday, March 20, 10 a.m. – Design Process

Utilizing the car, students will explore how things go from idea to finished product.

Friday, March 20, 1 p.m. – Car Models

A critical part of automotive design is creating a model. Students will create car models to show how the modeling process can help to explore design choices.

Future lessons will cover propulsion, aerodynamics, racing and a host of other topics.

“The Petersen Automotive Museum offers students an opportunity to gain an education during school closure and in between their digital course loads,” said Petersen Executive Director Terry L. Karges. “Our special programming will broaden kids’ knowledge and expose them to the world of the automobile.”

To learn more about the Petersen Automotive Museum’s online educational programming, access daily lecture and activity documents, and view the live streams, visit www.petersen.org/online-education. For more information about the Petersen Automotive Museum and its exhibits, visit www.petersen.org.

Franchise Tax Board Announces Extended Time to File and Pay for California Taxpayers Affected by COVID-19 Pandemic

The Franchise Tax Board (FTB) today announced special tax relief for California taxpayers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Affected taxpayers are granted an extension to file 2019 California tax returns and make certain payments until June 15, 2020, in line with Governor Newsom’s March 12 Executive Order.

“During this public health emergency, every Californian should be free to focus on their health and wellbeing,” said State Controller Betty T. Yee, who serves as chair of FTB. “Having extra time to file their taxes helps allows people to do this, as the experts work to control the spread of coronavirus.”

This relief includes moving the various tax filing and payment deadlines that occur on March 15, 2020, through June 15, 2020, to June 15, 2020. This includes:

• Partnerships and LLCs who are taxed as partnerships whose tax returns are due on March 15 now have a 90-day extension to file and pay by June 15.

• Individual filers whose tax returns are due on April 15 now have a 60-day extension to file and pay by June 15.

Quarterly estimated tax payments due on April 15 now have a 60-day extension to pay by June 15.

The FTB’s June 15 extended due date may be pushed back even further if the Internal Revenue Service grants a longer relief period.

Taxpayers claiming the special COVID-19 relief should write the name of the state of emergency (for example, COVID-19) in black ink at the top of the tax return to alert FTB of the special extension period. If taxpayers are e-filing, they should follow the software instructions to enter disaster information.

The FTB will also waive interest and any late filing or late payment penalties that would otherwise apply.

www.ftb.ca.gov/about-ftb/newsroom/news-releases/2020-2-more-time-to-file-pay-for-california-taxpayers-affected-by-the-covid-19-pandemic.html

Ventura County School Districts Announce Closures Due to Coronavirus

Ventura County School Districts Announce Closures Due to Coronavirus

Closures to Begin Monday, March 16

After careful consideration and consultation with Ventura County Public Health, all school districts in Ventura County have decided to close their schools for a limited period in response to the coronavirus. For most school districts, the closures will begin Monday, March 16 and continue through Friday, March 20. Some districts have announced longer closures. The Moorpark Unified School District and the Simi Valley Unified School District will be closed from Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 27. The Ventura Unified School District will be closed from Monday, March 16 through Friday, April 10. Districts will decide whether to extend their closures based on the developing circumstances with the spread of the virus. For details on each districts’ plans, please visit their websites. A list of school district websites is available at this link.

The move to close schools countywide comes after Ventura County Public Health declared a local health emergency, which will provide additional resources for coronavirus response. “The decision to close schools is never any easy one,” said Stan Mantooth, Ventura County Superintendent of Schools. “We are all devoted to the education of our children, but in this case, the health and safety of the community has to take top priority.” The closures are in support of the recommendations from public health officials to encourage “social distancing” to slow the spread of the virus. It is strongly recommended that students stay home during the closures as much as possible and do not gather in public places.

We understand that school closures have significant impacts on our students, families and employees, and we hope to resume normal operations as soon as possible. For the latest updates on how schools are responding to the coronavirus, please visit the coronavirus information page on the VCOE website at www.vcoe.org/coronavirus.

About the Ventura County Office of Education

The Ventura County Office of Education provides a broad array of fiscal, training and technology support services to local school districts, helping to maintain and improve lifelong educational opportunities for children, educators and community members. VCOE also operates schools that serve students with severe disabilities and behavioral issues, provides career education courses, and coordinates countywide academic competitions including Mock Trial and the Ventura County Science Fair. Learn more at: www.vcoe.org.

City of Thousand Oaks Declares State of Emergency

At the City of Thousand Oaks, the health and safety of our residents are paramount. It is with careful thought and planning that the City has declared a formal state of emergency. This declaration allows critical services and operations to continue while enacting social distancing measures and the closures of non-essential city facilities. This declaration does not relate to any possible illness inside the City limits, it is simply a tool to help slow the spread of disease.

At this time, the Bank of America Performing Arts Center will close through the end of March. If you are a ticketholder for a show during this time, please check your email for updates regarding rescheduling of specific performances. Our box office staff will be working tirelessly to ensure all ticketholders are cared for, and patience is appreciated as staff navigates this unprecedented event in the venue's history.

Additionally, both Thousand Oaks libraries will be closed to the public during this time. However, our libraries offer a robust collection of materials online and will be adding additional resources for children, teens and adults. There will be a unique telephone reference service offered from 9 am to 5 pm daily. During this closure, late fines will be waived as well as DVD rental fees. Patrons will be able to utilize the Virtual Library services through the web and register for a library card online. Services are subject to change during this time, so please visit www.tolibrary.org for the most up-to-date information.

City Hall will be offering regular services at this point, however, there may be some instances of prolonged wait times on permits and other document requests due to modified staffing configurations. Hours and service delivery is subject to change as circumstances are evolving. Please visit our website for a menu of virtual services and updates on hours and operations at www.toaks.org.

As the current public health situation evolves, we encourage everyone to continue practicing the CDC guidelines for health and safety during flu season which include washing your hands regularly for 20 seconds and staying home if you feel sick. For the latest updates on the situation in Ventura County, please visit www.vcemergency.com.

Ventura County Community College District Announces Move to Virtual Classes

Chancellor Greg Gillespie has announced that after monitoring the status of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic daily and consulting with and reviewing information from local, regional, state, and federal health agencies, Moorpark, Oxnard, Ventura colleges and Ventura College – East Campus will begin transitioning to virtual and alternative instruction for lecture classes beginning the week of March 16 through March 20. Following the week-long transition, lecture classes will move to virtual and alternative instruction beginning March 23. Student services on campuses and other support resources—such as libraries, computer labs, food pantries and admissions and records—will continue to be open and available to students.

“We are initiating the changes to our classes out of an abundance of caution,” said Gillespie, who noted that there are currently no cases of COVID-19 at any VCCCD campus. “We value our students, classified staff and faculty and want to support everyone in their educational and work efforts by maintaining a healthy and safe environment.”

“We made the decision after thorough consultation with Ventura County Public Health, our educational partners in the community, the State Chancellor’s Office, and our academic, classified, and student leadership,” added Board Chair Bernardo M. Perez. “Moving to virtual instruction enables our colleges to continue meeting the educational needs of our students and our community, while implementing a proactive approach that addresses concerns about everyone’s health and well-being.”

Courses that do not readily fit into a virtual format—especially in career education areas and other specialized disciplines—will be excluded from the requirement. At this time, laboratory classes, performing arts courses and activity courses (physical education/kinesiology) will continue as scheduled while implementing social distancing practices. Online courses and dual enrollment classes in the high schools will both continue as usual.

Virtual instruction will continue until April 6, which is VCCCD’s Spring Break. Classes are expected to resume April 13 and continue through the end of the semester. Due to the ever-evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the district will continue ongoing assessment regarding student instruction.

Effective March 16 through April 13, all public events and other activities expected to draw 250 or more people to any VCCCD campus will be postponed, modified, or canceled. This is in accordance with the latest guidelines from California Department of Public Health on events and gatherings, which recommends increasing social distancing and limiting large events. The decision regarding canceling, modifying or postponing graduation ceremonies for the colleges will be made at a later date.

All interested community members are encouraged to visit VCCCD Alerts for comprehensive campus information and latest updates.

About Ventura County Community College District

The Ventura County Community College District is a member of the 115-campus California Community College system, and serves more than 32,000 students annually. The District’s three colleges—Moorpark, Oxnard, and Ventura—offer programs in general education for degrees and certificates, transfer to four-year colleges and universities, career technical education, and provide opportunities to engage in co-curricular campus activities. For more information, please visit vcccd.edu and on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.