The Goleta City Council approved a temporary moratorium on residential and commercial evictions arising from nonpayment of rent caused by loss of income due to the novel coronavirus.

The moratorium in Goleta takes effect Tuesday and will remain in place for 60 days, unless extended, city spokeswoman Kelly Hoover said.

The council also ratified City Manager Michelle Greene’s local emergency proclamation, which will enhance Goleta’s ability to access federal and state dollars for COVID-19 response.

The actions aim to “flatten the curve” and help slow and prevent the spread of COVID-19, Hoover said in a statement.

In addition, the City Council approved a resolution ordering restaurants, banquet facilities, bars, night clubs and lounges to temporarily close while still allowing certain takeout orders and meal delivery. All gyms, fitness centers, theaters, bowling alleys and arcades in Goleta were ordered to temporarily shut down.

The resolution prohibits access to play structures and exercise equipment in city parks, beaches and open spaces.

The orders will take effect Tuesday and will remain for at least 60 days, unless extended.

Signs will be posted to remind people of COVID-19 symptoms, risks and social-distance measures.

Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte joined the meeting via phone.

“These measures are an expression of our highest priority — assuring the safety and well-being of our community,” Perotte said. "This resolution is consistent with the actions being taken by growing numbers of other cities in addressing the unprecedented challenges posed by this emergency.”

Goleta's emergency actions are similar to actions taken by cities and counties throughout the California, and coincide with guidance from the California Department of Public Health.

The second confirmed case of novel coronavirus in Santa Barbara County was announced Tuesday morning, and both residents live in the North County.

“We are holding this Goleta City Council meeting under extraordinary and unprecedented circumstances,” Mayor Pro Tempore Kyle Richards said in his opening remarks. “With the coronavirus pandemic spreading quickly throughout the world and our state, we are preparing for a worsening situation here (Goleta) in our community.

“It’s critical that we act now to reduce our social contacts, so that we can slow the spread of the virus through our communities, and allow extra time for our hospitals and medical professionals to keep up with the demand,” Richards continued.

Goleta City Hall encouraged social-distancing precautions, and people in the council chamber were separated by at least six feet distance. The room was arranged to ensure proper spacing to accommodate state and local public health guidelines.

The city implemented measures to limit coronavirus transmission between Goleta employees and the public, and several public sites are temporarily closed.

The Goleta City Hall reception office is closed to the public, but people can call 805.961.7500 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Monday through Thursday.

The Goleta Valley and Santa Ynez Valley libraries are closed. For more information, call library staff at 805.964.7878.

Click here to learn about accessing library services remotely.

The Goleta Community Center is closed to programming with the exception of food distribution.

For a complete list of Goleta's coronavirus-related actions, click here.

Public Health Department officials have issued social-distancing guidelines for Santa Barbara County to better protect residents and slow the spread of COVID-19.

County public health officials Tuesday asked bars, nightclubs, pubs, breweries and wineries to shut down immediately, and for restaurants to only offer delivery and takeout options.

Santa Barbara City Council Tuesday adopted an emergency proclamation authorizing City Administrator Paul Casey to take necessary action to respond to the local emergency. Council direction included closing bars, nightclubs, breweries, wineries and tasting rooms, which is consistent with recent guidance from the state public health department.

Food can be prepared for delivery or takeout service in Santa Barbara, said Nina Johnson, senior assistant to the city administrator.

Movie theaters, live performance and entertainment venues, bowling and arcades will close to the public. Gyms and fitness centers also will shut down, Johnson said in a news statement.

Santa Barbara's measures will be in effect until April 7, when it will be reviewed.

Click here for more information about COVID-19 from the County Public Health Department.

Click here to go to Noozhawk's Coronavirus Crisis section.

— Noozhawk staff writer Brooke Holland can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) . Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.