The Manteca Library is now closed through at least April 6.

So is the Manteca Senior Center although the lunch program will continue on a to-go basis only.

The two gathering places are the latest closures in response to the coronavirus pandemic that prompted Interim City Manager Miranda Lutzow to declare a local emergency on Saturday.

That is in addition to a decision late Sunday to close the finance lobby and counter at city hall as well as the police lobby and counter.

The escalating situation means all Parks and Recreation Department activities such as classes/programs as well as  both indoor and outdoor sports leagues and clinics, spring break camp and such have been cancelled through April 6 as well.

The city had hoped to keep the senior center open but officials determined it would be too difficult to maintain the recommended six foot distancing between people.

The city’s actions come on the heels of the decision by Manteca Unified School District to cancel classes for all of its nearly 25,000 students through April 5.

That means after spring break starts today for a week, Manteca Unified will close for an additional two weeks and reopen on Monday, April 6.

Ripon Unified has also cancelled classes. Since their spring break is later than Manteca’s, Ripon Unified students will return to classes on Tuesday, April 14.

All school-related activities including sporting events and practices have been cancelled as well until at least April 6.

State closure impacts

local bars, Delicato

wine tasting room

The cancellation of school and other activities could extend into mid-May if local and state officials end up following the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control that Sunday evening is recommending that all gatherings of 50 or more people be cancelled through the next eight weeks.

The city and schools aren’t the only closures taking place. The governor issued an order Sunday that will require the Delicato Vineyards wine tasting room to close along with all bars and brew pubs. All restaurants in the state are now under a directive to reduce their capacity by 50 percent. Dairy Queen on South Main Street in Manteca was among the first to comply Sunday as they blocked off table seating in the center of their dining room as they limited seating to the exterior booths.

A number of stores are reducing their hours and in some cases closing for the next two weeks.

Organizations throughout the community from the Federated Women’s Club to the Manteca Garden Club have cancelled meetings.

The Manteca Boys & Girls Club will remain open but they are doubling their regular efforts to sanitize the facility at 555 West Alameda Street. As of Friday, they plan to be open this week for the Manteca Unified spring break from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Club staff will spend an hour conducting additional sanitizing before the doors open.

With the Manteca Parks & Recreation spring break program cancelled that means the Boys & Girls Club will be the only option available this week.

Based on the Manteca Unified decision on Thursday, all after school programs — which included Give Every Child a Chance’s after school gatherings that take place at school sites — will be suspended for at least two weeks at the end of spring break.

“We want to do whatever we can to accommodate the families we serve,” noted Boys & Girls Executive Director Jeanie Miller.

Manteca Unified will work

to make sure food insecure

students will get lunch

“This week is spring break,”  noted Manteca Unified community outreach coordinator Victoria Brunn in an effort to point out families with single parents or both parents who work were prepared to make alternative arrangements for their children today through Friday.
Brunn said a number of people have been talking about starting food drives for kids in need that will be at home who would normally rely on school lunch in order to eat at least one meal.

“None of students that have food security issues will go without,” Brunn said of the cancellation of school that officially starts Monday for two weeks after spring break ends.
 Brunn said details are being worked to provide “to go” lunches starting Monday, March 23. She indicated details and the locations where they can be picked up will be made available in the coming days.

A number of community events are either being postponed or cancelled that run the gamut from fund raising dinners to bingo.

One of Manteca’s longest running community traditions — the free community Easter egg hunt at Northgate Park that had been scheduled for April 11 — has been cancelled.

Manteca Mayor Ben Cantu who is a member of the Manteca Kiwanis that stage the egg hunt confirmed the cancellation on Sunday.

The Manteca Chamber of Commerce has already postponed the Crossroads Street Fair planned for April 6-7 in downtown. They are working on shifting it to a weekend in early August.

Board meetings of non-profits such as the Boys & Girls Club as well as the city’s advisory commissions and committees for seniors and youth have also been cancelled.

Both the police and fire departments have cancelled ride-alongs and public tours. Firefighter personnel have been issued additional protective gear when they respond to medical calls where the patient has a fever or respiratory issues.

When possible, Manteca Police officers “will use methods available” to meet the recommended distancing of six feet.

The police are asking residents who feel sick to stay at home.

In a press release Saturday, the City of Manteca noted that they were taking” a series of steps recommended by public health officials to minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19 in the community, following President Trump’s declaration of a national emergency and the World Health Organizations’ declaration of a global pandemic. These actions should not be considered a reason for heightened concern. The City is taking them in compliance with the recommendations of the Governors’ Office and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to slow the spread of the virus.”

How to access non-

emergency police

services  & make city

utility payments

The Manteca Police Department will continue to respond to emergency calls and non- emergency calls for service. For emergencies call 911 and non-emergencies, call (209) 456- 8101. To limit the contact officers are having with the public, the city is asking that you make reports online at https://www.ci.manteca.ca.us/Police/OnlineCrimeReport/Pages/default.aspx. This is  the online reporting system that allows you to make theft, vandalism, graffiti, harassing phone calls, hit and run collisions, identity theft, lost property, mail/package theft, vehicle burglary and vehicle tampering reports with no suspects. To limit the exposure of our civilian employees are having with the public, the inner lobby door will be locked, and the following procedure will be in place until further notice:

To reach Police Records call  209-456-8100  and then Option 2.

Call only during the specified times below. If you do not have a cell phone use the red phone in the lobby and request to speak with a Records Clerk.

* For report requests, vehicle releases (towed stored, impounded and repossessed), or questions call during normal business hours.

*For Sex registrants, arson registrants, and narcotic registrants the following times are available: Renewals: Tuesdays and Thursdays 9 a.m. to noon, New Registrants: Tuesdays and Thursdays 2:30 to 4 p.m.

*For Live Scan fingerprinting. call only o nMonday and Wednesday from 2 to 5 p.m.

* For new permit applicants for card rooms, solicitors, tow trucks, and taxis call only  on Wednesdays from 2 to 3 p.m. and Thursdays from 9  to 10 a.m.

For Property and Evidence, call (209) 456-8131.

If you do not have a cell phone, use the red phone in the lobby and request to speak with a Property/Evidence Officer Records Clerk for release of property appointments.

For Code Enforcement, call (209) 456-8100 and then Option 3.

If you do not have a cell phone, please use the red phone in the lobby and request to speak with a Code Enforcement Officer.

The Finance Department will be closing its Finance Department lobby and counters to the public starting today. You can make payments online, by phone at (209) 456-8730, or drop off payments in the drop box located in City Hall parking lot at 1001 W. Center Street (check or money order, no cash).

To start or stop services, email utilitystart@ci.manteca.ca.us or call 456-8730

For business license related inquiries, call 456-8730.