Coronavirus impact: Bay Area cities urge residents to avoid crowds, practice social distancing on Easter weekend

ByCornell Barnard KGO logo
Sunday, April 12, 2020
COVID-19 impact: Bay Area cities urge residents to avoid crowds on Easter weekend
COVID-19 impact: Bay Area cities urge residents to avoid crowds on Easter weekendCities across the Bay Area seem to be doing everything they can to keep people at home this Easter holiday weekend. California's shelter-in-place order is still very much in effect.

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Cities across the Bay Area seem to be doing everything they can to keep people at home this Easter holiday weekend. California's shelter-in-place order is still very much in effect.

Gabriel Thompson from Oakland was taking a breather, grabbing a walk and fresh air with daughter Layla. but that's not always easy or safe.

"We try and get out but streets are busy and sidewalks are narrow," said Thompson.

RELATED: Oakland closing several streets to allow proper social distancing for joggers, cyclists

The city of Oakland has heard those complaints. Councilman Dan Kalb says starting this weekend, Oakland is making more room for residents to social distance, by shutting down more than a dozen neighborhood streets across the city to cars.

"We want to make room for people going outside to the store, pharmacy and do it in a matter so they don't come into contact with other people," said Kalb.

"This is a good thing, especially for me," Oakland resident Gilbert Gibson said. "I didn't want to walk and I didn't want to drive my truck so I'm going to get on my bike and ride."

In San Francisco, the reminders about keeping that six-foot distance seem to be everywhere.

RELATED: 7 people issued $1,000 tickets for violating COVID-19 shelter-in-place order, Santa Cruz police chief says

Despite that, ABC7 saw people on the Embarcadero near the Ferry Building farmer's market clearly not practicing social distancing or wearing protective masks. Many people got a not-so-subtle warning from CDC signs encouraging people to stay at home during the pandemic.

This image shows a CDC poster that encourages staying at home amid the COVID-19 pandemic in San Francisco
This image shows a CDC poster that encourages staying at home amid the COVID-19 pandemic in San Francisco's Embarcadero, taken on April 11, 2020.
KGO-TV

SFFD firefighters were out at Ocean Beach, Mclaren Park and the Marina Green to remind people to keep their distance.

The SFFD urges residents to resist the temptation of gathering this Easter weekend.

"Think about things we can do this holiday that don't involve a park, a beach or residences," said SFFD Lt. Jonathan Baxter.

RELATED: Get the latest live updates on coronavirus crisis

Marin County is trying to avoid crowds they saw last month at parks and beaches. the Marin County Sheriff's Department tweeted a few weekend reminders

the first, stay at home unless essential.

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