COVID-19 Health and Safety

The City of Indio is actively monitoring input from local, state and national health officials to assess the health risks of COVID-19, and update those risks to stakeholders. Additionally, we are in contact with Riverside County Public Health, which facilitates conference calls and sharing information with partner agencies. Their message is constantly updated here, and includes the latest information about coronavirus, as well explanations about the most frequently asked questions about regulations in the state and in Riverside County.

On March 19, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom ordered all Californians to stay at home, except to perform essential tasks.  He announced the creation of a website to answer questions about what this means for the daily lives of Californians.  This order supersedes previous orders, listed below. 

On March 12,  2020 Riverside County Public Health Officer Dr. Cameron Kaiser issued an Official Order, cancelling all events with expected attendance above 250 people.  On March 13, 2020, he ordered the closure of all schools in Riverside County from March 16-April 3, 2020.  That order was amended on March 17, extending school closures through April 30, 2020, and further amended on April 1, closing Riverside County schools through June 19, 2020.

On March 18, the City of Indio ratified a Proclamation of Local Emergency.  This local proclamation will support the City's planning and response efforts, and is a signal to the community that the City is prepared to mobilize local resources, coordinate interagency response, and use mutual aid in the event the COVID-19 virus has been introduced to the immediate area.  In addition, on March 16, Dr. Kaiser revised his previous order, and is now restricting public gatherings from 250 people or greater to no more than 10.

Kaiser’s health order also says that gatherings with fewer than 10 people must have enough available room to maintain six feet of space between attendees. There are limited exemptions to the 10-person rule, including healthcare facilities, grocery stores, daycare centers and restaurants serving take-out.

On March 31, the Riverside County Department of public health also recommended that people cover their faces while out in public, providing these examples.  

The next day, all golf courses in Riverside County were ordered closed.  Read the order here.

As directives from public health agencies change, the City of Indio will update our residents with changes to public services and activities.  

Here is the latest from the City of Indio:

Updated 4/2/20

• The City has cancelled the shredding event scheduled for May 2, the oil, tire, e-waste and compost event for May 16, and the hazardous waste disposal event scheduled for May 30, 2020.  These events will be rescheduled at a later date.

Updated 3/31/20

• As a public service only, the City has provided sample forms for residential tenants who might be facing an eviction.  Sample forms are available in English and in Spanish.

Updated 3/30/20

• Forms are now available online to request an appointment at City Hall.  
• New guidelines are in effect with regard to short-term residential rentals in Indio.  Those in violation are subject to fines beginning at $1,500.  Read the letter sent to rental license holders.

Updated 3/27/20

Indio City Hall will be temporarily closed, effective Monday, March 30th, out of caution and concern for the health of employees, customers and the public.  See details on contact information in Building and Planning Services, see here.

Updated 3/25/20

Over the coming days, Indio residents may notice increased activity around the Riverside County Fairgrounds, where a Federal Medical Station (FMS) is being set up. The FMS will help ease the burdens in our local hospitals by providing medical care for non-COVID patients. This will allow for more acute patients to receive in-hospital care at any of our area's three hospitals, while providing care to local residents as needed and reducing the risk of coronavirus exposure. We would like to thank the California National Guard for providing their assistance and support at this facility.

For more information related to the FMS in Indio, check here.

Updated 3/24/20

• The Station 87 and Mulligan Dog parks are closed.
• No park or special events permits will be issued at this time.

Updated 3/23/20

• The City of Indio is now offering online building and planning submittals, as well as online payment availability.
• For all Building and safety submittals, payments, and inspections please refer here.
  
  For all Planning submittals, payments, and inspections, please refer here. 
• The Lights at Indio Golf Course is closed for play.  The post office at the Pro Shop remains open for urgent mailing needs.  The operational hours are 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
  
  

Updated 3/19/20

• The City of Indio addresses an order by Governor Newsom for Californians to shelter-in-place.  Read the City's response here.
• For the time being, the City of Indio will not issue garage sale permits.
• City of Indio parks will remain open, however, playground equipment will be closed to the public.

• The City has compiled list of local grocery stores that are providing special hours for senior citizens to shop before the general public hours.  See the FAQ below for specific details, or visit the Indio Senior Center Facebook page.

Updated 3/18/20

• The lobby at Indio Water Authority is closed effective immediately.  See the IWA news release for ways to continue to conduct business and make payments.

• Our regularly scheduled City Council meeting will take place on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber.  The public is encouraged to watch the meeting virtually on the City's website, or on Facebook Live.

If you choose to attend the Council meeting in person, please maintain the appropriate social distancing of 6 feet between individuals.

• Sunline Transit announced that local fixed route and paratransit bus service will be provided free of charge. SunLine Transit Agency is taking precautions to provide the recommended social distancing and to help the community in these uncertain times. Passengers without disabilities will be directed to use the rear door of the vehicle for boarding and alighting to minimize contact with transit operators at the front door and farebox area. People utilizing mobility devices or who need the ramp will be allowed to board and alight from the front door of the vehicle.  Sunline is also enhancing cleaning.  To learn about any changes to service routes, click here.
• At the City's March 18, 2020 Council meeting, the City Manager affirmed that the City has suspended parking enforcement on street sweeping days because of concerns residents may be home and not able to move cars.  However, street sweeping is an important function to maintain street cleanliness, eliminating debris from roadways that could otherwise cause damage to people and property.  It also removes debris that could otherwise clog or contaminate storm drains, and cause flooding during inclement weather.  For that reason, the City encourages residents and visitors to continue whenever possible, to move their cars on scheduled street sweeping days.
• The City Manager also affirmed that all water-shut offs through Indio Water Authority will be stopped during this period of financial concern.

Updated 3/17/20 and effective immediately:

• The lobby at the Indio Police Department will be closed until further notice to reduce the exposure potential to lobby visitors and our personnel.
• All non-emergency calls will be evaluated accordingly to determine the appropriate response. We will encourage applicable non-emergencies to be handled via phone report or by utilizing our online reporting services.
• We will continue responding to ALL emergency calls for service.
• If you need to report non-emergency or routine issues, please file an online report at www.indiopd.org, or call our non-emergency dispatch line at (760) 391-4051.
• For general Police Records and Code Enforcement related matters, please call the main line at (760) 391-4057.

Updated 3/16/20:

• The Indio Senior Center has temporarily closed.  For the latest, and questions about previously scheduled food distribution, check here.  You can also call (760) 391-4170.
• The Indio Teen Center has closed until further notice.  For more information, call (760) 541-4414.
• All lobby services at City Hall, Indio Water Authority and Plans will be closed from 12 p.m. until 1 p.m. daily.
• Although the lobby at IWA will remain open, nearly all transactions at Indio Water Authority, including bill pay, can be conducted online or by phone.  Bill pay can also be conducted via drop box, through the web portal, or by phone.  Call (760) 391-4038 or email iwacustomerservice@indio.org for additional information.
• The counter at City Hall remains open, however, appointments are strongly encouraged for plan reviews and other permit processing.
• Desert Theatreworks, which operates out of the Indio Performing Arts Center (IPAC), is postponing its 2019/2020 season effective immediately.  Call the box office at (760) 980-1455 for more information.
• The Coachella Valley History Museum will close until further notice.
• The official ribbon cutting for the opening of the Indio Hills Trail, scheduled for March 20, 2020 has been postponed until the fall.  A new date will be announced at a later time.

At home, work, and in the public, you can utilize best practices for health year round. That includes staying home if you feel sick, washing your hands, and coughing into your elbow, rather than your hands. Being prepared also means having basic essentials on hand, like an earthquake preparedness kit.  Here is a guide to some commonly asked questions about emergency preparedness, health and safety, and the spread of illness.

FAQ's on COVID-19