MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020
All Laguna Beach Trailheads, Beaches and Adjacent Parks Closed to Slow Spread of COVID-19
To protect the public and prevent the spread of COVID-19, or the coronavirus, all trail access to the County wilderness parks, all City beaches and adjacent beach parks are now closed.
This includes Main Beach Park, Heisler Park, and Treasure Island Parks. All basketball, tennis and volleyball courts, along with all children’s playgrounds are also closed.
The Laguna Beach City Council determined that closing these areas is prudent to reduce the potential spread of the virus and protect the public.
According to the state's stay at home order, you can still go outside for walks and recreation but won’t be able to do so in groups.
Social distancing should be practiced at all times by maintaining a six-foot separation from all persons except for family members.
Persons over the age of 65, those who have a chronic health condition such as heart disease, lung disease or diabetes, and people with a compromised immune system must remain at home.
In order to enforce the beach, trail and park closures, the Laguna Beach Police Department will increase monitoring of all closed areas. Citizens who do not comply with the closure orders will receive citations.
We have received some inquiries regarding how people can email the County of Orange Board of Supervisors regarding the potential closure of County beaches in South Laguna.
The easiest way to express an opinion is to send an email to cob.response@ocgov.com and it will go to all Supervisors. The Board meets tomorrow (Tuesday).
All City offices remain closed to the public.
Essential services will be provided.
For questions call (949) 497-3311 during regular business hours.
Letter to the Community from Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen
Dear Laguna Beach Residents:
I want to assure you that the City of Laguna Beach, the City Manager and our first responders are actively engaged in enforcing the Governor’s stay-at-home order. As the Governor urged again this weekend, everyone needs to comply and everyone needs to use common sense.
To a large degree our local businesses and residents are complying with the Governor’s order. We have received reports of a few businesses that have failed to comply with the Governor’s order and our Police Department is shutting down those not in compliance and will enforce social distancing at those businesses who are permitted to remain open such as take-out food locations.
I also strongly urge everyone in the City to stay at home except when you must go out to conduct essential business such as grocery shopping, going to the pharmacy or medical appointments or getting takeout food at a local restaurant. As the Governor has said, you may go outside for a walk or to exercise. Please do that only with family members or by yourself to avoid contacting others.
Be safe and be smart and we will all get through this by working together and thinking of the welfare of not only our families but of our community as a whole.
I am proud of the efforts that our City staff and first responders, local businesses and residents have made to date.
Thank you.
Bob Whalen, Mayor, City of Laguna Beach
Senior Resources Available
The County has announced the availability of resources and support for seniors over 60 who may be self-isolating during the COVID-19 outbreak in Orange County. For more information, call the Office on Aging Information Center at 1 (800) 510-2020.
Age Well will be providing “Grab & Go” meals for seniors in need beginning Wednesday, March 25 and every Monday, Wednesday & Friday thereafter, as needed. For more information call Patty Quilter at (949) 464-9535.
Sally's Fund Providing Senior Services
Sally's Fund team members are shopping, running errands and providing transportation for seniors to doctor's appointments.
A Trolley driver from the City of Laguna Beach is assisting Sally’s Fund with food pantry deliveries tomorrow and Thursday.
We also plan to have one driver providing Trolley service for Sally’s Fund clients to Ralph’s on Wednesday and Friday.
For more information on Sally's Fund services, call (949) 499-4100.
The U.S. Small Business Administration has announced that small business owners in California are currently eligible to apply for low-interest Disaster Loan Assistance due to COVID-19.
Employers and employees who need financial assistance during this time, should visit the Employment Development Department’s (EDD) COVID-19 website at the link below.
Local Restaurants Offering Takeout and Delivery
Though bars that serve food and all restaurants are closed to on-site public dining, they may still offer takeout and food delivery.
The Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce has created a resource of local food takeout and delivery options from local restaurants, at the link below.
Social distancing of 6 feet of separation between persons must be maintained at all restaurants offering takeout.
2020 Census Operations Adjusted
In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the U.S. Census Bureau has adjusted 2020 Census operations in order to protect the health and safety of Census Bureau employees and the American public.
This newsletter is texted out directly to residents registered for Laguna Beach’s Nixle Community Alert system.
Know someone or a senior who needs to sign up? Simply have them text 92651 to 888-777.
If You Have An Emergency,
Always Dial 9-1-1
The City of Laguna Beach is Committed to Bringing You COVID-19 Information
The City of Laguna Beach is committed to keeping you updated on the latest COVID-19 information. We're providing resources, closures and postponements, the latest COVID-19 news and health information on our website.