Mayor Steinberg calls on bars to close, seniors to self-isolate after governor issues new guidelines

Mayor Darrell Steinberg Sunday called on Sacramento bars to close and said restaurants should limit their operations to delivery and pick up after Gov. Gavin Newsom announced new state guidance for handling the coronavirus. He also backed the governor’s recommendation that people 65 and over, who are particularly susceptible to severe cases of coronavirus, self isolate.

“This will require us to make real sacrifices, and there’s no question that it will cause economic hardship, but our sacrifices will keep people alive,” Mayor Steinberg said. “We are working furiously with business, labor and the state to provide an economic lifeline for businesses and workers. The calvalry will come from a lot of directions I think.”

The City Council last week approved a $1-million fund that will provide zero interest loans to business affected by coronavirus. A portal to accept applications will be open by this week. Postmates has announced that it will waive commission fees for restaurants using its delivery service.

The city is also crafting a temporary eviction ban for those affected by Covid-19, among other actions.