Hermosa Beach Coronavirus Update For March 18

Press release from the City of Hermosa Beach:

March 18, 2021

To help keep the community informed, the City of Hermosa Beach is providing regular updates featuring the latest news about COVID-19; related local updates; and how the City is working to meet the needs of the community and protect public health.

Volleyball Nets Restored to Beaches: The City worked with the volleyball community today to get the volleyball nets restored to the commercial zone on the beach. The Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors removed the nets last year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The City is posting the Public Health Officer’s rules for playing safely and asking everyone to follow those rules to prevent the virus spread and keep our volleyball courts open.

The new COVID-19 beach rules and league sport rules include:

• Beaches are open during normal operating hours for groups of up to 15 people from up to three households for swimming, surfing, playing volleyball, running, walking, and sitting; chairs, canopies and coolers are allowed; adherence to physical distancing and masking is required.
• Beach restrooms are open adhering to distancing and infection control protocols.
• Beach bike paths are open.
• Gatherings of up to 15 people from up to three households are permitted.
• Day camps are permitted as long as they comply with current guidance from Public Health.
• Volleyball courts are open.
• Parking lots are open.
• Boardwalks and piers are permitted to open at operators’ discretion.
• Canopies, coolers and beach chairs are also permitted.
• All beachgoers aged 2 and up must wear a face covering when not in the water, unless they are eating or drinking. Children under the age of 2 are exempt from wearing face coverings. Beachgoers must also maintain a minimum of 6 feet of physical distance between individuals outside of the same household.

Large group activities are not permitted. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Bonfires, personal fire pits and grills.
• Gatherings or events consisting of more than 15 people from four or more households.
• Special events.

People are asked to “beach responsibly,” which includes packing out any trash.

Junior Lifeguard Program to Return this Summer: The L.A. County Fire Department announced this week that the County has approved the safe re-opening of the Junior Lifeguard Program this summer. All returning Junior Lifeguards, or those who successfully completed the 2019 program and previously registered for Summer 2020, are eligible to participate in the Summer 2021 program and will not have to re-test. New Junior Lifeguard applications will be available through the website, starting April 1. COVID-19 safety protocols have been developed for the protection of staff and participants and will be released soon. At this time, the plan is for the Junior Lifeguard Program to be offered in two, four-week sessions to accommodate the new student-to-instructor ratio of 20 to 1.

Mayor’s Virtual Coffee on Saturday: Mayor Justin Massey will be discussing the City's latest initiatives, including its COVID-19 response, and will be taking questions from participants. The virtual event is set to start at 10 a.m. PST on Sunday, March 20. RSVP is required. Space is limited. Please register in advance: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6xfp_w6-SIal9BJENKVBbQ.

Hermosa Businesses Asked for Their Views: The Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau is asking businesses to respond to a quick survey to understand and measure the opinions and interests of business leaders during the pandemic. The Chamber said the goal is to ensure the Chamber is prioritizing and addressing the concerns of all Hermosa Beach businesses.

County Opens Indoor Dining and Eases Other COVID-19 Restrictions: The Los Angeles County Health Officer Order has been updated to closely align with the State’s reopening framework and reflect the changes allowed by moving into the less restrictive red tier of the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy. Public Health said restaurants could resume indoor dining at 25% of their capacities, students in grades 7-12 could return to school and other activities could resume with protocols to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The modifications to the Health Officer Order include the following:

• Schools are permitted to re-open for in-person instruction for students in grades 7-12 adhering to all state and county directives.
• Private gatherings can occur indoors with up to 3 separate households, with masking and distancing required at all times. People who are fully vaccinated can gather in small numbers indoors with other people who are fully vaccinated without required masking and distancing.
• Restaurants can open indoors at 25% max capacity under the following conditions: 8 feet distancing between tables; one household per table with a limit of 6 people; the HVAC system is in good working order and has been evaluated, and to the maximum extent possible ventilation has been increased. Public Health strongly recommends that all restaurant employees interacting with customers indoors are provided with additional masking protection (above the currently required face shield over face masks); this can be fit tested N95 masks, KN95 masks, or double masks and a face shield. In addition, Public Health strongly recommends that all employees working indoors are informed about and offered opportunities to be vaccinated. Outdoor dining can accommodate up to six people per table from 3 different households.
• Museums, Zoos and Aquariums can open indoors at 25% capacity.
• Gyms, Fitness Centers, Yoga and Dance Studios can open indoors at 10% capacity with masking requirement for all indoor activities.
• Movie Theatres can open indoors at 25% capacity with reserved seating only where each group is seated with at least 6 feet of distance in all directions between any other groups.
• Retail and Personal Care Services can increase capacity to 50% with masking required at all times and for all services.
• Indoor Shopping Malls can increase capacity to 50% with common areas remaining closed; food courts can open at 25% capacity adhering to the restaurant guidance for indoor dining.
• Institutes of Higher Education can re-open all permitted activities with required safety modifications except for residential housing which remains under current restrictions for the Spring semester.

Public Health said businesses must implement all the requirements in the sector-specific Public Health protocols. It said that it is critical that directives and infection protocols are followed to minimize COVID-19 spread as much as possible. Comprehensive protocols are available on Public Health’s website.

County Could Move to Even Less Restrictive Orange Tier Next Month: The L.A. County Department of Public Health (Public Health) said Tuesday that the County could move into the less restrictive orange tier in the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy in April. Public Health said the County must remain in the red tier it’s currently in for three consecutive weeks before moving to the less restrictive orange tier -- even if the County's metrics align earlier with the orange tier. L.A. County’s daily case rate must be at or below 3.9 new cases per 100,000 people and the County's test positivity rate must be at or below 4.9% for two consecutive weeks to qualify for the orange tier. On Tuesday, L.A. County's adjusted case rate dropped from 5.2 new cases per 100,000 people to 4.1 new cases per 100,000 people. The test positivity rate dropped from 2.5% to 2.0%. Public Health said that if the County continues to experience declines in the case rate, it is possible in early April for the County to move into the orange tier, enabling further re-openings of businesses and other activities.

Public Health Encourages Continued COVID-19 Precautions: The L.A. County Department of Public Health (Public Health) said Monday that allowing expanded activities doesn’t mean those activities are “safe” and without risk. Public Health pointed out that whenever there are more opportunities for interactions with people not in your household, there can be more transmission of the virus. To keep yourself, your family, your friends and neighbors and the broader community safe, Public Health said people should continue following these core practices:

• Go outdoors. Outdoor activities are far safer than indoor ones.
• Stay masked. Consistent and correct use of masks, especially double-masking, both indoors and outdoors, is very effective at preventing the spread of COVID-19.
• Maintain at least a 6-foot distance from others. Physical distancing from those who do not live with you also helps to keep the virus away.
• Avoid crowds. The fewer people you encounter and the fewer interactions you have, the smaller the chance the virus will spread.
• Get vaccinated when it’s your turn. All federally authorized vaccines work well and will help protect you, your family, and your friends against COVID-19.

Rent Relief Available: Income eligible households who need financial assistance for unpaid rent and utilities will be able to apply for help through the California COVID-19 Rent Relief program. Participating landlords can be reimbursed for 80% of eligible tenant's unpaid rent accrued between April 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021, if they agree to waiving the remaining 20% of the unpaid rent. Eligible tenants with non-participating landlords can receive 25% of previously unpaid rent, as well as help paying 25% of future rent payments. Additional financial assistance available includes help with past due utility bills, and future utility payments.

American Rescue Plan Details Available: The White House has created a website page that explains the benefits available from the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan that the president signed into law last Thursday. It includes several benefits, including payments to individuals and help for small businesses.

President Biden Announces All American Adults to be Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine by May 1: In a prime-time address last week, President Joe Biden announced that he will direct states, tribes and territories to make all American adults eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine by May 1. Once all Americans are eligible, the president said his administration will work to ensure every adult is able to get vaccinated by increasing the number of places people can get vaccinated, increasing the number of people administering vaccines and providing tools to make it easier for individuals to find a vaccine. He said his goal is to put the nation on a path to get closer to normal by July 4.

COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility for People with High-Risk Medical Conditions or Disabilities

The state has now opened vaccine eligibility to persons aged 16-64 years of age with one or more medical conditions or disabilities that put them at higher risk for serious COVID-19 illness, specifically:

• Cancer, current with weakened immune system
• Chronic kidney disease, stage 4 or above
• Chronic pulmonary disease, oxygen dependent
• Down syndrome
• Solid organ transplant, leading to a weakened immune system
• Pregnancy
• Sickle cell disease
• Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies (but not hypertension)
• Severe obesity (Body Mass Index ≥ 40 kg/m2)
• Type 2 diabetes mellitus with hemoglobin A1c level greater than 7.5%
• People who, as a result of a developmental or other significant high-risk disability, meet one or more of the following criteria:
  • A COVID-19 infection is likely to result in severe life-threatening illness or death; OR
  • Acquiring COVID-19 will limit the individual’s ability to receive ongoing care or services vital to their well-being and survival; OR
  • Providing adequate and timely COVID care will be particularly challenging as a result of the individual’s disability.

See a fact sheet for patients.

Los Angeles County Update: The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health today confirmed 88 new deaths and 933 new cases of COVID-19. To date, Public Health identified 1,212,586 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 22,664 deaths. There are 861 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized and 26% of these people are in the ICU. Testing results are available for more than 5,984,000 individuals with 19% of people testing positive. Today's daily test positivity rate is 1.8%.

Latest Facts and Figures

Jurisdiction - Reported Cases | Reported Deaths

• Hermosa Beach - 934 | 11
• L.A. County - 1,212,586 | 22,664
• California - 3,535,534 | 55,795
• United States - 29,431,658 | 535,217

*All reported data is from the close of the previous day.

Additional Resources

Please continue to follow public health experts’ recommendations to avoid spreading the coronavirus including frequent handwashing, wearing a face covering, keeping a safe distance from one another, and staying home if you are ill. Public Health has issued the following guidance during this time of increased spread: If you are mildly sick, stay home for at least seven days or until 72 hours after being fever free, whichever is longer. Call your doctor if you are concerned and/or your symptoms worsen. Individuals who are elderly, have underlying health conditions or pregnant should consider contacting their providers earlier when they are sick. More information is available here.

We are monitoring updates and sharing information about the coronavirus from trusted sources including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, California Department of Public Health, and Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

This press release was produced by the City of Hermosa Beach. The views expressed are the author's own.