Santa Monica Pier Closes Through MLK Day Amid Pandemic

SANTA MONICA, CA — Sunny weather and potential crowds are prompting city officials to close the Santa Monica Pier through the holiday weekend—a precaution to prevent the spread of the coronavirus as the county faces a public health crisis.

The Santa Monica Pier will close for weekends in January.

Santa Monica reported 3,320 total coronavirus cases as of Tuesday. That is a 321 case increase over the last seven days, from Jan. 4 to Jan. 12. A mobile morgue is scheduled to arrive in the city.

"The extended closure is due to forecasted warm weather and the need for all Los Angeles County residents to remain at home," officials said in a news release late Tuesday.

The National Weather Service forecasts Thursday as sunny, with a high near 74 degrees, and Friday also as sunny, with a high near 77 degrees. The weekend is also expected to be sunny, with Saturday reaching a high near 76 degrees and Sunday near 74 degrees.

"Weather is relevant to helping stop the spread of the virus, and with good weather coming, the pier will close on the weekends," Interim City Manager Lane Dilg said.

The pier was closed temporarily on Jan. 10, a cautious move to help to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, officials said.

The pier will remain closed on the following days:

• Friday, Jan. 15
• Saturday, Jan. 16
• Sunday, Jan. 17
• Monday, Jan. 18
• Saturday, Jan. 23
• Sunday, Jan. 24
• Saturday, Jan. 30
• Sunday, Jan. 31

"The best way to slow the spread of COVID-19 is to stay home as much as possible and the closure is part of meeting this need," officials said.

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