COVID-19

On May 28, the City, in partnership with the Snohomish Health District, launched the Getting to Safe Toolkit to provide baseline recommendations, resources and practical tools for small businesses and organizations to prepare for when Snohomish County reaches the next phases of the governor’s Safe Start plan. Learn more: everettforeverett.com/safeopening 

In May, Everett Emergency Management opened drive-thru sites for to collect and distribute handmade cloth face coverings.

On April 30, applications opened for the Everett CARES Grant Program to support small businesses and nonprofits impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more: everettwa.gov/everettcares. 

On April 22, Everett City Council approved the adoption of 2020 emergency budget reductions, taken in response to COVID-19. These reductions were necessary to protect the City’s financial viability and ability to deliver core services. They affect nearly every department across the City. City staff and operation costs have also been reduced. View a recording of the April 22 council meeting, view the April 22 council meeting materials (see agenda item 5 under Action Items) and read Mayor Cassie Franklin’s statement in response to the emergency reductions

On March 25 Everett City Council passed three emergency actions to help mitigate the health, safety and financial impacts of COVID-19: a civil emergency order temporarily exempting Everett retail establishments from Everett’s Reusable Bag Ordinance; an emergency ordinance temporarily waiving Everett Transit fares; and an emergency ordinance to waive or defer certain utility late fees and shutoffs for non-payment.

On March 20 Mayor Cassie Franklin issued a mayoral directive directing all city of Everett residents and business owners to stay home, except for certain essential activities and work to provide essential business, government services or public infrastructure. See the FAQ to learn more: everettwa.gov/stayhome.

On March 17, Mayor Cassie Franklin issued a temporary moratorium on residential evictions.

On March 4, Mayor Cassie Franklin issued a declaration of civil emergency for the City of Everett. Here’s what that means:

• By issuing this declaration, officials can assure the City of Everett has the tools in place and is ready to take appropriate actions quickly, when needed, to protect the health and safety of the community.
  • It allows the City to react quickly to developments in this fast- moving, fluid situation.
  • It allows the City to waive competitive bidding requirements to procure supplies and make other necessary expenditures quickly without going through the usual time-consuming bidding procedures.
  • It allows the mayor to exercise civil emergency powers by issuing orders, directing City personnel, services and equipment, and taking additional acts necessary to the manage this emergency.

The Everett Public Library buildings may be closed, but they are still a community hub for resources and reliable information. The library’s COVID-19 resource page has updates from both local and federal government agencies as well as community resources including medical assistance, financial assistance, food, shelter, internet, or other relief. Learn more: epls.org/covid.

In partnership with the Downtown Everett Association, the City of Everett developed a website, EverettforEverett.com, to help support businesses in Everett that are providing customers a safe social distancing option for purchasing goods. Learn more and find additional resources and information for businesses on the For businesses page.

Everett Police reminds the public not to call 911 to report violations of the governor’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order, social distancing violations, or individuals outside of their homes. 911 must be reserved for those needing immediate emergency assistance. Everett residents may report concerns by e-mail to cv19violations@everettwa.gov. Concerns about businesses violating the order can be reported the Governors office.

More on what the City of Everett is doing to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the community:

The City of Everett continues to take steps to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and limit its exposure to more vulnerable demographics. This includes:

• Temporarily closed several City facilities and cancelled or postponed City-sponsored events, programs and gatherings until further notice (see the City operations page for an up-to-date list).
• Require all non-mandatory City staff to work from home if they can. Mandatory staff are practicing social distancing. Everett’s IT team is actively identifying ways to keep things running smoothly and remotely through technology.
• Activated Everett’s Emergency Operations Center.
• Everett Transit implemented an emergency service plan and teams are taking additional steps to clean and sanitize our buses, focusing on those high-touch interior surfaces.
• Everett’s first responders in both police and fire are taking extra safety precautions with personal protective equipment when responding to calls.
• Collaborating with our regional partners and sharing the leading guidance from health officials with our community, which are common sense tips such as good hand washing hygiene and staying home when sick.
• Connecting local businesses with information to help inform their decisions regarding operations, staffing and public events.
• Installing sanitizing stations in the lobbies of City buildings and in public meeting spaces.

Digital City of Everett services:

• Everett Public Library’s digital resources: epls.org/apps
• Utilities online bill pay: everettwa.gov/UB
• File a police report: everettwa.gov/policereport 
• File other online reports or request service: everettwa.gov/929/Report-Request 
• Apply for licenses or permits: everettwa.gov/2069/Licenses-Permits 
• Find digital City records: everettwa.gov/digitalrecords
• View adoptable animals: everettwa.gov/adopt 
• Watch a City Council or other meeting, or stream Everett Channel: everettwa.gov/everettchannel

Can’t find what you’re looking for? Browse our website or use the search tool on our website to access a variety of digital information, services and resources: everettwa.gov/search 

Community resources:

The Everett Public Library buildings may be closed, but they are still a community hub for resources and reliable information. The library’s COVID-19 resource page has updates from both local and federal government agencies as well as community resources including medical assistance, financial assistance, food, shelter, internet, or other relief: epls.org/covid 

This is a stressful time for many and it’s normal that you or your loved ones might feel anxious, sad, scared or angry. You are not alone. It’s okay to ask for help. Find a list of mental and emotional well-being resources on the State’s coronavirus website: coronavirus.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/mental-and-emotional-well-being 

Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management launched a coronavirus response and community resource hub  featuring news, information, maps, charts and up-to-date COVID-19 case counts, as well as links to a variety of community resources including food locations, child care, shelter, and financial and employment assistance.

The Everett Hot Meals Coalition offer free meals to people in need seven days a week. Click here to view the current hot meals schedule and locations (last updated 5/1/2020).

Find cold weather shelters in Snohomish County: snohd.org/471/Cold-Weather-Shelters 

Proclamations, declarations, ordinances & orders:

• City of Everett civil emergency order temporarily exempting Everett retail establishments from Everett’s Reusable Bag Ordinance - March 25
• City of Everett emergency ordinance temporarily waiving Everett Transit fares - March 25
• City of Everett emergency ordinance to waive or defer certain utility late fees and shutoffs for non-payment - March 25
• Governor Inslee’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order for Washington state - March 23
• State of Washington statewide limits on Food and Beverage Services, Areas of Congregation - March 16
• State of Washington Statewide K-12 School Closures - March 13
• State of Washington statewide Limit on Gatherings Amendment - March 13 
• White House Proclamation on Declaring a National Emergency - March 13
• Snohomish County Health Officer’s order on events during a public health emergency - March 11
• City of Everett proclamation of civil emergency - March 4
• Snohomish County local declaration of emergency - March 4
• Snohomish County Health District declaration of public health emergency - March 4
• State of Washington proclamation of state of emergency - Feb. 29
• Additional COVID-19 proclamations from Washington State Governor Jay Inslee

Guidelines for homeless shelters:

• CDC Interim guidance for responding to COVID-19 among unsheltered populations
• DOH Recommendations for Homeless Shelter Facilities during a COVID-19 outbreak
• WA Dept. of Commerce home isolation guidance for people living in permanent supportive housing