The City of San Luis Obispo is allowing local crematorium and mortuary businesses to extend their operating hours amid a growing number of COVID-19-related deaths.
City officials say the emergency proclamation was issued at the request of Wheeler Smith Mortuary and Reis Family Mortuary. The companies asked the city to lift restrictions on opening hours due to increased demand.
Under current city zoning regulations, crematorium and mortuary businesses are only allowed to operate Monday through Friday between 7:30 AM and 5:30 PM
On Friday, the San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department 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 US as a whole.
City councilor Derek Johnson issued the emergency proclamation Thursday night and the city council will be asked to ratify the order at its meeting on Jan. 12.