This content is being provided for free as a public service to our readers during the coronavirus outbreak. Please support local journalism by subscribing to The Salinas Californian here.

If you're late on your electricity or gas bill or can't afford to pay right now because of the COVID-19 outbreak, give your utility company a call.

The nation's largest electric utility has halted shutoffs to delinquent customers during California's state of emergency in the face of the coronavirus outbreak.

Friday, Pacific Gas and Electric announced it would immediately halt service disconnections to residential and commercial customers in California for nonpayment.

The novel coronavirus, a highly contagious upper respiratory infection, has spread throughout the world. In many cases it has proven deadly; the global death toll has surpassed 5,000. As of Friday, confirmed cases in the U.S. exceeded 1,700, with at least 40 deaths recorded.

The World Health Organization declared it a pandemic Wednesday and Gov. Gavin Newsom soon declared a state of emergency.

“We recognize that this is a rapidly changing situation and an uncertain time for many of our customers," said Chief Customer Officer and Senior Vice President Laurie Giammona. "Our most important responsibility is the health and safety of our customers and employees. We also want to provide some relief from the stress and financial challenges many are facing during this worldwide, public health crisis.

"We understand that many of our customers may experience a personal financial strain due to the slowdown in the economy related to the pandemic," Giammona said.

More:Water shutoffs in Salinas halted during state emergency

More:What we know now about the coronavirus in Monterey County

More:Coronavirus concerns in Monterey County: Everything canceled or closed

PG&E is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric energy companies in the U.S. Based in San Francisco, with more than 20,000 employees, the company delivers energy to 16 million people in Northern and Central California.

PG&E will also offer "its most flexible" payment plans to customers impacted as a result of the coronavirus.

The company has also encouraged employees with direct customer contact to avoid handshakes and wear disposable nitrile gloves while in customers' homes in order to prevent further spread of the disease.

PG&E urged customers who visit local offices to pay bills and are sick or experiencing symptoms to use other payment options, such as online or by phone at 1-877-704-8470.

The company does not expect any disruption in gas or electric service due to the public health crisis, a release said Friday.

Both California Water and Alco Water companies have also placed a moratorium on water shutoffs in Salinas during the state of emergency Gov. Gavin Newsom initiated this week.

It is standard procedure to shut down shutoffs during a state emergency, according to Alco Water spokesman Tom Adcock, citing a regulation set out by the California Public Utilities Commission.

All utilities regulated by the commission are required to follow this guidance during states of emergency.

Newsom also announced Thursday that California has waived the one-week application waiting period for people unemployed or disabled as a result of the coronavirus.

If a resident's hours have been cut, their employer has been shut down, or if a medical professional says they are unable to work, they can file a claim for unemployment or disability immediately.

Kate Cimini is a multimedia journalist for The Californian. Call her at (831) 776-5137 or email kcimini@thecalifornian.com.Subscribeto support local journalism.