California to lift state of emergency due to COVID-19 at the end of February

SALINAS, Calif. (KMUV-TV) — In October, Governor Gavin Newsom’s office released a statement announcing that California would lift its state of emergency due to COVID-19 on February 28 this year.

This is three months before the United States lifts the federal state of emergency due to Covid-19 on May 11, 2023.

The state of California says this will result in the loss of much-needed resources during the pandemic, such as mobile clinics and free COVID tests, that were needed to combat the spread of the virus.

Some residents were surprised to learn that free testing sites and resources were already a guarantee for us.

The Salinas resident spoke anonymously to Telemundo Costa Central in an interview and commented that her family has been affected by the virus and that they must now take additional measures for her family’s well-being.

I don’t agree that they are taking away aid because he had COVID twice and has been in the hospital for weeks, and it’s good if he touches us

resident of Salinas

However, the Governor’s Office also said that while the emergency mandate ends at the end of February, the state has already prepared a SMARTER Plan program to be able to support the community in the event of an emergency.

Some experts are optimistic about the spread of COVID but are advising the public to follow health guidelines such as wearing a mask in public and maintaining social distancing.

“Well, the tests are quite widely available, people can get tested at pharmacies, they are relatively cheap, the government often covers them and gives people the option to ask for their free tests,” the doctor said. Gregory Whitley from the Dominican Hospital.

People who work in the health services, we’ve lived the last three years, we know that as soon as we feel more comfortable, then things get worse, so I don’t think we can fully trust ourselves.

Dr. Gregory Wheatley

The statement shows that the State of California has been able to support those most in need during the pandemic by providing $18.5 million for stimulus checks and approximately 186 million COVID tests.

Gov. Gavin Newson’s office said that despite California ending this mandate, the state maintains sufficient assistance to residents and the community.