Coronavirus: Hermosa Beach Considers Declaring Local Emergency

HERMOSA BEACH, CA — The Hermosa Beach City Council will consider an emergency declaration and other measures to address the coronavirus outbreak at a 5 p.m. meeting Monday, Hermosa Beach City Manager Suja Lowenthal said in a letter to the community.

The city has already canceled and postponed major events and suspended senior center and community programs in an effort to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, according to Lowenthal. Starting Monday, the city will also start limiting public access to City offices including City Hall and the Community Center.

"We appreciate your patience as we work through these changes," Lowenthal said.

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The following operational changes were taken to protect public health, and are in effect through at least the end of the month:

• Essential City services will continue but access to City Hall offices is limited to City Staff during normal working hours.
• City staff and services will be transitioning to make services available by phone, email or online. A list of City services and department contact information is available on the City Directory page of the website, and some services, such as paying a parking ticket or renewing a dog license, can be completed online.
• Hermosa Beach Police and other City staff that provide essential services outside City Hall — such as street repairs and other Public Works functions — will continue their work in the community while taking additional precautions to reduce the risk of spread. The Hermosa Beach Police Department can still be accessed by the public through its lobby.
• City Council, Board and Commission meetings will continue to be held in the Council Chambers but will be reconfigured to ensure social distancing among members. The public can attend and make comments, but public access will be limited to the lobby during these meetings. The public is encouraged to watch the meetings on local cable channels or on the City’s Meeting and Agenda webpage and to provide comments via the City’s e-comment system.
• Large-scale public events have been canceled or postponed; smaller events are canceled unless organizers can demonstrate the event will meet the social distancing recommendations of at least 6 feet between participants.
• The Hermosa Five-O Senior Activity Center has been closed and all senior programs canceled.
• City-sponsored community programs are suspended.
• Outdoor fitness permits and outdoor contract classes are suspended.
• Access to the Community Center, Community Theatre, Gymnasium, Second Story Theatre and Clark Building is limited to City staff.
• Hermosa Beach Library is closed.
• Hermosa Beach Skate Park is closed.
• Hermosa Beach City School District has shifted to online instruction until April 13. The City has suspended its P.A.R.K. After School Program until at least April 13.

The City has provided a list of Hermosa Beach cancellations, postponements, and closures on the city website.

"We thank you for your support and cooperation during this time," Lowenthal said. "Working together, we will slow the spread of COVID-19 and we are looking forward to returning to normal operations soon."

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.

For more information, visit the City of Hermosa Beach coronavirus webpage.