Beverly Hills Declares Local Emergency Amid Coronavirus Concerns

BEVERLY HILLS, CA — Beverly Hills declared a local emergency Sunday in response to the new coronavirus and urged residents and members of the public not to visit City Hall.

Beverly Hills City Manager George Chavez declared the emergency, and a majority of the City Council is scheduled to meet through teleconference at 7 p.m. Tuesday night to consider the item.

In the meantime, limited public access will be available in City Hall but members of the public are strongly encouraged to stay home and watch the meeting online or on BHTV. Public comment on items listed on the agenda or on any topic, including public hearings, can be shared by calling 310-285-1020 (live call-in during the meeting) or by emailing cityclerk@beverlyhills.org. Currently, Commission meetings scheduled for this week will be postponed.

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The city is finalizing the ability for "virtual" participation for commissioners and members of the public for future meetings.

In addition, to promote and protect public health, Beverly Hills City Hall is now closed to the public until further notice and will operate as a Virtual City Hall, according to a city statement.

"With the ongoing health concerns presented by the Novel Coronavirus, we believe it is in the best interest of the community and our employees to shift our services to online and by phone," Chavez said. "I continue to work closely with the Mayor and City Council who are all deeply committed to the health and safety of our community."

City personnel will continue to work from City Hall but public counter services will not be available. Many City services may be accessed at www.beverlyhills.org or by calling 310-285-1000. City staff will be available by phone and email to continue to serve the public.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Follow CDC's recommendations for using a facemask.
  • CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
  • Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

Related Coverage:

• What You Need To Know About California's Lockdown Of Seniors And The Chronically Ill
• California Coronavirus: Live Updates On Cases, Updates, Closures

City News Service contributed to this post