The city of San Luis Obispo allows local cremation and mortuary companies to expand their operating hours amid a growing number of COVID-19 deaths.
City officials say the emergency proclamation was issued at the request of Wheeler Smith Mortuary and Reu Family Mortuary. The companies asked the city to remove the restrictions on operating hours due to increased demand.
Under current city zoning rules, cremation and mortuary businesses are only allowed to operate Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
On Friday, the Department of Public Health in San Luis Obispo County reported six additional deaths related to COVID-19, bringing the county’s total number 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 as a whole.
City Director Derek Johnson issued the emergency proclamation on Thursday night, and the city council will be asked to ratify the order at its January 12 meeting.