Mission Viejo Cancels Events Due To Coronavirus Concerns

MISSION VIEJO, CA — In light of the latest guidelines from the California Department of Public Health to protect public health and slow the rate of transmission of COVID-19, the City of Mission Viejo is canceling or postponing several upcoming events.

The state department’s new guidelines call for canceling or postponing – for at least the remainder of March – all large gatherings that include 250 people such as concerts, conferences, and professional, college and school sporting events. The guidelines also include postponing or canceling smaller gatherings held in venues like crowded auditoriums, rooms or other venues that do not allow social distancing of six feet per person.

Therefore, the City of Mission Viejo is canceling or postponing all events that fall within the guidelines including the Irish Festival; South Orange County Open Track and Field Meet; Lord of the Strings; Bees Knees; Wine Tasting & Music; Film of Character; Junior Olympics at our Aquatics Complex; and all other non-essential events and activities at City facilities at the discretion of City administrators.

According to the Department of Public Health, the timely implementation of aggressive strategies that create social distance and those that reduce close contact of people not regularly together, including limiting gatherings, has proven effective in prior pandemics at delaying rates of transmission and reducing illness and death.

City administrators attend all COVID-19 county briefings, and the City is following recommendations of the Orange County Healthcare Agency and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The OCHCA posts the latest information on the county website at this link.

The City will continue to relay information from the county via our eNewsletter, social media sites (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Nextdoor) and news page.