City of Laguna Beach Working to Prevent COVID-19 Spread

City of Laguna Beach
Working to Prevent COVID-19 Spread

City of Laguna Beach Working to Respond, Prevent Spread
of COVID-19

Large gatherings minimized, rescheduled or cancelled through end of March

Laguna Beach, CA- Governor Gavin Newsom and California Department of Public Health officials have issued updated guidance on gatherings to protect public health and slow the spread of COVID-19. The state’s public health experts have determined that large gatherings of 250 people or more should be postponed or cancelled across the state until at least the end of March.

All City of Laguna Beach Department services are currently staffed and functioning to serve the public. Given this new guidance from the state, and in order to conduct City business with the utmost caution, the City of Laguna Beach will consider limiting upcoming meeting agendas by postponing policy items likely to draw large crowds and instead focus on regular items of business.

The City encourages residents to email public comments or information to the City Council and City Clerk regarding agenda items at cityclerk@lagunabeachcity.net. Please identify the agenda item number you wish to comment on with your email. As always, all Laguna Beach City Council meetings are available to view live on the City’s website at www.lagunabeachcity.net or live on Cox cable channel 852.
Please follow these guidelines if you are considering attending a City meeting:

Any member of the public that feels sick is encouraged to stay home and not attend meetings. Call your healthcare provider and visit your healthcare provider as advised to manage your symptoms or illness.
Members of the public age 60+ are at higher risk for COVID-19 and urged to stay home and avoid any large public gathering or public meeting.

If you have recently traveled to China, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Italy or any other high-risk countries or have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19, please stay home.

If you plan on attending, please make sure you follow the social distancing protocol of six feet per person, wash your hands before and after the meeting, avoid physical contacts such as hand-shaking, holding hands and hugging and limit the number of people in line for speaking.

Current status as of Thursday, March 12, 2020:

-No plans to close City facilities at this time
-Community and Susi Q Center – All senior classes and programming are cancelled until the end of March. One-on-one essential services for seniors will still be provided.
-Age Well lunches are cancelled at the Senior Center; Meals-on-Wheels will assist those in need
-Laguna Beach Public Library – Open at this time
-Trolley Service – As scheduled at this time
-Police Department Citizen’s Academy – Postponed
-March 12, 2020 Design Review Board – Proceeding as scheduled
-March 17, 2020 City Council Meeting – Proceeding as scheduled
-March 18, 2020 Planning Commission Meeting – Proceeding as scheduled, however, the Downtown Action Plan item is postponed
-March 24, 2020 Special City Council Meeting, Downtown Specific Plan – TBD
-Upcoming Leadership Laguna Citizen’s Academy – Postponed
-Weekly Farmer’s Market – Cancelled until end of March
-Committee and Board Meetings – Should continue to post agendas and hold essential meetings until further notice
-Subcommittee Meetings- Evaluated as needed between staff and Subcommittee Chair

The City is implementing heightened cleaning and disinfecting methods of all public areas, City Council Chambers, public information and help desks, public restrooms and all City Trolleys. We are constantly communicating with our community partners, and also regularly updating additional information on COVID-19 prevention on our website at www.lagunabeachcity.net/coronavirus

Additional Resources
The Orange County Public Health Care Agency is taking questions from the public about COVID-19 via a Health Referral Line at 1(800) 564-8448.
Orange County Health Care Agency information webpage

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 Information webpage

World Health Organization (WHO) Coronavirus Information webpage

City of Laguna Beach, March 12, 2020, Media Release