What's Open And Closed In Laguna Beach Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — The city of Laguna Beach, following the edict set in motion by Gov. Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Public Health, has determined to halt gatherings and slow the spread of the new coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.

"The state’s public health experts have determined that large gatherings of 250 people or more
should be postponed or cancelled across the state until at least the end of March," the city of Laguna Beach advised in a recent release.

All City of Laguna Beach Department services are currently staffed and functioning to serve the
public.

"Given this new guidance from the state, and in order to conduct City business with the
utmost caution, the City of Laguna Beach will consider limiting upcoming meeting agendas by
postponing policy items likely to draw large crowds and instead focus on regular items of business," it said.

Residents are encouraged to email public comments or information to the City Council and City Clerk regarding agenda items at cityclerk@lagunabeachcity.net.

Please identify the agenda item number you wish to comment on with your email. As always, all Laguna Beach City Council meetings are available to view live on the City’s website at www.lagunabeachcity.net or live on Cox cable channel 852.

Please follow these guidelines if you are considering attending a City meeting:

• Any member of the public that feels sick is encouraged to stay home and not attend meetings.
• Call your healthcare provider and visit your healthcare provider as advised to manage your symptoms or illness.
• Members of the public age 60+ are at higher risk for COVID-19 and urged to stay home and avoid any large public gathering or public meeting.
• If you have recently traveled to China, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Italy or any other high-risk countries or have been exposed to someone who has COVID-19, please stay home.
• If you plan on attending, please make sure you follow the social distancing protocol of six feet per person, wash your hands before and after the meeting, avoid physical contacts such as hand-shaking, holding hands and hugging and limit the number of people in line for speaking.

As of Thursday, the city has no plans to close facilities. The community center and the Susi Q center has canceled classes for seniors, though one-on-one essential services for seniors will still be provided.

In the city of Laguna Beach, here is the current state of affairs with other services:

• Age Well lunches are cancelled at the Senior Center; Meals-on-Wheels will assist those in
• need
• Laguna Beach Public Library - Open at this time
• Trolley Service - As scheduled at this time
• Police Department Citizen’s Academy – Postponed
• March 12, 2020 Design Review Board – Proceeding as scheduled
• March 17, 2020 City Council Meeting – Proceeding as scheduled
• March 18, 2020 Planning Commission Meeting – Proceeding as scheduled, however, the
• Downtown Action Plan item is postponed
• March 24, 2020 Special City Council Meeting, Downtown Specific Plan – TBD
• Upcoming Leadership Laguna Citizen’s Academy – Postponed
• Weekly Farmer’s Market – Cancelled until end of March
• Committee and Board Meetings - Should continue to post agendas and hold essential meetings until further notice
• Subcommittee Meetings- Evaluated as needed between staff and Subcommittee Chair

The City is implementing heightened cleaning and disinfecting methods of all public areas, City

Council Chambers, public information and help desks, public restrooms and all City Trolleys.

"We are constantly communicating with our community partners, and also regularly updating additional information on COVID-19 prevention on our website at www.lagunabeachcity.net