The city of San Luis Obispo is allowing local crematorium and mortuary businesses to extend their working hours amid a growing number of COVID-19 deaths.
City officials say the emergency proclamation was issued following requests from Wheeler Smith Mortuary and Travel Family Mortuary. The businesses have asked the city to remove restrictions on working hours due to the increased demand.
According to the current rules for city management, crematorium and mortuary businesses may only work from Monday to Friday between 07:30 and 17:30.
On Friday, the San Luis Obispo County Department of Public Health reported six additional COVID-19 deaths, bringing the province’s total to 101.
Provincial health officer, dr. Penny Borenstein, said COVID-19 is currently the leading cause of death in San Luis Obispo County, as well as the U.S. as a whole.
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.