The city of San Luis Obispo allows local cremation and mortuary companies to expand their hours of operations amid a growing number of COVID-19-related deaths.
City officials say the emergency proclamation was issued following requests from Wheeler Smith Mortuary and Kings Family Mortuary. Businesses asked the city to remove operating hours restrictions due to increased demand.
Under current city zoning regulations, cremation and mortuary companies can only operate Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
On Friday, the San Luis Obispo County Department of Public Health reported six additional COVID-19-related deaths, bringing the county’s total to 101.
County Health Officer Dr. Penny Borenstein said COVID-19 is currently the leading cause of death in San Luis Obispo County, as well as in the United States in general.
City manager Derek Johnson issued the emergency proclamation Thursday night and the city council will be asked to ratify the order at its Jan. 12 meeting.