Manhattan Beach Declares Local Emergency Over Coronavirus

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — The City of Manhattan Beach declared a local state of emergency Friday in response to the new coronavirus.

Additionally, city staff activated the Emergency Operations Center Saturday morning; all Parks and Recreations classes, parks/court reservations, organized sports, programs and activities are canceled until the end of April; and all Boards and Commission meetings, with the exception of the Planning Commission are canceled.

"As the pandemic evolves, the City will continue to respond decisively and appropriately. The City’s actions today reflect the need to protect the public and continue to serve residents,"Mayor Richard Montgomery said.

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Proclaiming a local State of Emergency facilitates mutual aid and the mobilization of local resources, enhances the ability to coordinate interagency response, accelerates procurement of vital supplies, and enables for future reimbursement by the state and federal governments, the City of Manhattan Beach news release said.

Tuesday's City Council Meeting

Public attendance at Tuesday's City Council meeting will be accommodated in the Police/Fire Conference Room (at 420-15th Street), to adhere to the state's Department of Public Health advisement that gatherings should allow for social distancing of six feet per person. This will provide more social distancing space than the City Council Chambers would, which will not be accessible to the public during the Council meeting, the news release said.

City Closures

The Joslyn Community Center is closed, all Older Adult Programming is canceled and special events are also canceled or postponed until the end of April. The City will reassess programming and events over the next few weeks and determine if normal operations can resume in May, the news release said.

The City has also established a dedicated phone number for at-risk older adults who may be displaced by the closure of the Joslyn Center and suspension of the Older Adults program. Contact the City for assistance at 310-802-5010.

The Manhattan Beach branch of the County Library is also closed through March 31 due to coronavirus concerns.

"In its continued efforts to practice social distancing and prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), LA County Library will temporarily close its 86 library locations to the public as of 5:00 p.m. today, March 14," County Library Director Skye Patrick, said. "Library programming and events have already been cancelled to limit large group gatherings. At this time, these measures will be in place through Tuesday, March 31."

In addition, the Manhattan Beach Farmers Market, held every Tuesday, will be cancelled until further notice.

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 Manhattan Beach website.

Related Coverage:

• What You Need To Know About California's Lockdown Of Seniors And The Chronically Ill
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