Sacramento (Feb.

18, 2021) Mayor Darrell Steinberg released this statement: “It is with
great reluctance that we are shutting down the Library Galleria and Southside Park
warming centers tonight for deep cleaning after a staff member tested positive for
Covid. This is only a temporary shutdown to make sure we are not dealing with a Covid
outbreak. We will be following up quickly with contract tracing and testing for staff,
volunteers and guests. I will continue pressing for the Galleria to reopen as soon as
safely possible and also will keep working with our community partners to open
additional sites. In the meantime, guests will be directed starting tonight to the City Hall
Garage at the corner of 10th and I streets, which has already been functioning as a safe
parking site. This is a safer option from a Covid-19 standpoint because it is not fully
enclosed and has more ventilation. With rain in the forecast for the early hours of Friday
morning, at least it will get people under a roof. We will offer free testing for guest at
Cesar Chavez Park at 10 a.m. Friday. As we manage this current situation, we will open
additional warming centers with more beds, not fewer, with precautions to keep people
safe. My fight is to have somewhere safe and comfortable for people to get out of the
elements every night, regardless of the weather.”