HERMOSA BEACH (CNS) - Hermosa Beach today postponed and canceled events on city property expected to draw 250 or more people in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus.
The decision also calls for senior center and community programs planned for March to be postponed or canceled and the limiting of public access to some city facilities 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.
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.”
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