UPDATE FROM OCEOC PRESS RELEASE: The Orange County Emergency Operations Center Activated. The County of Orange activated and staffed the Emergency Operations Center with County Agency representatives at 8 a.m. hours on March 13, 2020. All resources and support personnel have been identified and are on standby ready to mobilize when needed. The EOC has been activated to a moderate level to address resource requests related to COVID-19, novel Coronavirus. The public is encouraged to go to the Orange County Health Care Agency's dedicated website at www.ochealthinfo.com/novelcoronavirus and follow on social media Facebook @ochealthinfo and Twitter @ochealth for the latest updates.

ROSSMOOR, CA. – On Thursday, March 12, 2020, the Rossmoor Community Services District (the District) conducted an emergency meeting of the Board of Directors to discuss the potential health impacts of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). In accordance with recent state and County orders and guidelines the Board is taking measures protect public health, safety and welfare within the Rossmoor Community.

The emergency declaration enables the District to call in additional resources which may be necessary. On February 26, 2020, the Orange County Board of Supervisors declared a local emergency and County Health Officer Dr. Nichole Quick declared a local health emergency as part of broader preparedness efforts related to novel coronavirus, or COVID-19. On March 11th the Governor issued an updated policy on gatherings to protect public health and slow the spread of COVID-19, determining that gatherings should be postponed or cancelled across the state until at least the end of March.  On March 12th the Governor issued Executive Order N-25-20, ordering, inter alia, that all residents are to heed the orders and guidance of state and local public health officials.

The actions by the District are in line with what other local and regional agencies are considering or have enacted as a preventative measure to decrease the risk of community spread of Coronavirus in their communities.

Rossmoor has a population of approximately 10,500 residents, a significant portion of who may be at risk for Coronavirus. Additionally, Rossmoor is located near the County of Los Angeles and cities of Santa Ana and Long Beach, where several cases of Coronavirus have already been confirmed. The Board of Directors have concluded that it is in the best interest of the District to declare a local emergency.

Effective, 8:00 a.m. on Monday, March 16, 2020 the District will be implementing temporary changes to its operations. The changes to operations will be in place through the end of March or until further notice.

The temporary changes to District operations are as follows:

District Facilities

All District facilities, including the Rush Park Auditorium, Rossmoor Park Community Center and Montecito Center, Rossmoor Park Tennis Courts, Basketball Courts, Softball Fields, etc. will be closed to the public. However, District operations will continue to operate with staff available to provide services and answer questions by email. Online reservations will be available by visiting the District website at https://rccssdd.specialdistrict.org/ and clicking the online services link.

District Services

All services requiring in-person visits or public counter assistance will now be handled by phone and email.  Persons with disabilities who require assistance in accessing District services are encouraged to first contact the District by phone or email so that the District may accommodate their needs.

District Events and Classes

All District events and recreation classes and programs planned for the remainder of March are canceled.  All special events will be rescheduled at the appropriate time.

District Meetings

Meetings of the Board of Directors and District Committees scheduled for March will either take place as planned (if necessary), will be postponed until April or until further notice.  Consistent with the Brown Act and the Governor’s recent orders, the District will provide information to the public regarding any necessary restrictions on physically attending District meetings. As an alternative to attending in person, members of the public will always be able to access a taped recording broadcasts on LATV-3, or visiting the District website at https://rccssdd.specialdistrict.org/

Public health and safety are always our top priority and we will continue to work with local, County and State officials to help us navigate this worldwide pandemic. Additional information can be found by visiting the Orange County Health Care Agency website at http://www.ochealthinfo.com. Please stay tuned for future announcements. ###