Hermosa Beach Postpones, Cancels Large Events Due To Coronavirus

HERMOSA BEACH, CA — Hermosa Beach city officials announced Thursday events on city property expected to draw 250 or more people will be postponed or canceled in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus.

Senior center and community programs planned for March will also be postponed or canceled and some city facilities will have limited public access to "comply with the recommendations of Gov. Gavin Newsom and public health experts to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus," according to Mayor Mary Campbell.

All non-essential events on city property expected to draw fewer than 250 people this month will be asked to demonstrate that they will comply with the governor's recommendations that participants be kept at least six feet apart. If they cannot do so, those events will be rescheduled or canceled, Campbell said.

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All non-essential, city-offered community and senior programs will be canceled beginning Saturday morning and the Hermosa Five-0 Senior Center will be closed beginning Friday and a planned Saturday bus trip to Santa Barbara is postponed, Campbell said.

"We regret that these actions are necessary, but our first responsibility is to ensure the safety of our community," Campbell said.

"With all of us working together and taking collective responsibility for slowing the spread of coronavirus, we will be best-positioned to protect public health and help to ensure that our local clinics and hospitals have the capacity needed to care for those who may become critically ill from the COVID-19 virus as well as other medical conditions."

Campbell also announced that the P.A.R.K After School Program will continue as long as Hermosa Beach schools are in session.

Only city staff and those attending meetings at the city's community center, community theater, gym, Second Story Theater and Clark Building will be allowed in those facilities for the remainder of March.

Hermosa Beach City Hall remains open, "but the public is encouraged to phone, email or go online to complete tasks or reach city staff before coming to City Hall," Campbell said.

The City Council, commissions and boards will continue to meet, but access to council chambers will be limited to city staff and council, commission or board members. Meetings will continue to be broadcast on cable television and online at the city's website.

"We recognize these measures create hardship," City Manager Suja Lowenthal said. "The city is following our trusted sources of information to protect public health. We will revisit these measures on an ongoing basis to resume normal operations as soon as possible."

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:

• 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.

City News Service contributed to this post