Los Angeles County to Begin Lifting Restrictions on Certain Businesses and Recreational Activities Beginning May 8th

Los Angeles County residents are doing their part to follow the County’s “Safer at Home” Health Officer Order which has slowed the spread of COVID-19. Los Angeles County is now taking its first steps towards reopening businesses and getting people back to work!

The following is a list of businesses that are re-opening effective Friday, May 8th:

Non-essential business: reopening for curbside pick-up with adherence to distancing and infection control protocols

• Bookstores

• Clothing stores

• Florists

• Music stores

• Sporting goods stores

• Toy stores

• Car dealership showrooms (open for sales with adherence to distancing and infection control protocols)

Outdoor parks and recreational facilities are open on SATURDAY, MAY 9TH provided all activities adhere to distancing and infection control protocols.

• Golf courses (not including pro-shops or dine-in restaurants)

• Trails

• Trailheads, parks

The re-opening of businesses will occur in stages and require physical distancing and infection control practices.

The curve has flattened, however the COVID-19 pandemic is still in LA County. The coronavirus is still deadly and capable of quickly taking many lives. As L.A. County moves into its first stage of recovery, all residents, business owners and employees must continue to observe and practice all COVID-19 physical distancing requirements.

LA County residents - continue to do your part to slow the spread of COVID-19:

• Wear a face covering whenever you leave home

• Wash hands throughout the day

• Stay six feet away from people who don’t live with you

And don’t forget - you can get a free COVID-19 test if you have symptoms. All tests are confidential, and will tell you if you’re COVID-19 positive or negative. Click here for more information about COVID-19 testing in LA County.

covid19.lacounty.gov/recovery

Parking Along Pacific Coast Highway to be Temporarily Closed Beginning April 30th

In order to continue the success of Ventura County flattening the COVID-19 curve, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, working in collaboration with the California Highway Patrol, Caltrans, California State Parks, and Ventura County Parks Department, will be updating parking standards along northern and southern stretches of the Pacific Coast Highway in Ventura County.

Pacific Coast Highway from Point Mugu State Beach south to the Los Angeles County line will be closed for all parking. Additionally, Pacific Coast Highway from Emma Wood State Beach north to the Santa Barbara County line will be closed for all parking. This change in parking regulations is a continued effort to comply with the “Stay at Home Order” issued by the Ventura County Health Officer, which was most recently updated on April 20, 2020. Areas will be clearly marked, and enforcement action related to parking and/or violations of the “Stay at Home Order” may be taken.

Beginning today, April 30, 2020 at 8:00 am, Caltrans posted “No Parking” signs along both sides of Pacific Coast Highway as well as coning off the area. Law enforcement agencies will be patrolling the area to ensure compliance with the new parking restrictions, beach closures and the “Stay at Home Order.”

These agencies are committed to keeping the residents of Ventura County safe, and at this time, that includes restricting access to parking in certain areas. The goal of this temporary parking restriction is to keep the curve flattened related to new cases of COVID-19 within the County.

All beaches south of Naval Base Ventura County at Point Mugu extending to the Los Angeles County line are completely closed. All beaches north of Point Mugu to the Santa Barbara County line are open with some restrictions. Beach goers will only be allowed to participate in activities on the beach such as running, walking, swimming, and surfing. Gathering on the beach in groups with items such as blankets, chairs, and coolers will not be allowed.

local.nixle.com/alert/7968660

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Phased Re-Opening in the Coming Weeks

The County of Santa Barbara’s Public Health Department has recently reclassified the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden as an ‘essential business,’ paving the way for a phased re-opening of this beloved local institution in the weeks ahead.

“As the weather warms up, people continue seeking out safe outdoor activities during the Coronavirus pandemic,” said Steve Windhager, Executive Director of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. “We are thrilled that, once proper planning is in place, the Garden can again be accessible as an outlet for nature-based recreation, inspiration, and healing to members of our community,”

While the Garden remains closed at this time, staff are planning a phased, gradual reopening that will allow an increase in visitor numbers over time based on how effectively safety protocols can be followed.

With its recent reclassification, the Garden is now permitted to host guests while adhering to a strict set of criteria that ensure the social distancing of its attendees. These will include advanced hands-free payment, on-site signage about social distancing protocols, the ability to wash and/or disinfect hands, the frequent cleaning of high-touch surfaces, and even greater limitation on the number of guests that can be in the Garden at any one time.

“Nothing is more important than the safety of both the public and our staff,” said Dr. Windhager. “As such, the Garden is actively consulting with the County, our Board of Directors, and others to ensure a healthy experience for visitors and Garden staff that follows county guidelines.”

“We are working through a number of logistical and safety details that will guide our decision-making process in the days and weeks ahead,” said Dr. Windhager. “Additional information regarding our re-opening will be made available on our website and social media channels over the coming weeks.”

The Garden’s mission to conserve California native plants and habitats for the health and well-being of people and the planet is evident on site with over 1,000 taxa of exclusively California native plants, 5.5 miles of trails, and 78 acres, with a variety of cultivated displays, oak and riparian woodlands, a redwood forest, a desert section, and much more to explore.

For more information, visit www.sbbg.org.

Residents Who Visit County of Ventura Managed Beaches Urged to Follow Distancing Guidelines

Hollywood Beach

Residents who visit County of Ventura-managed beaches are urged to follow guidelines outlined in the Stay Well At Home Order issued by County of Ventura Public Health Officer Dr. Robert Levin.

Kiddie Beach, Silver Strand Beach and Hollywood Beach, managed by the Ventura County Harbor Department, have remained open for outdoor activity to afford residents relief. Residents are encouraged to use the beaches for essential physical activity such as walking, running, and jogging, while practicing social distancing guidelines. Beach visitors are not allowed to gather with groups on the beach outside their household.

“Ventura County residents should be proud of their efforts during this time and we want to make sure we continue to flatten the curve,” said Mark Sandoval, Harbor Department Director. “Practicing social distancing guidelines, particularly at the beach, is important. Not following these guidelines may result in our County-managed beaches being shut down for the foreseeable future.”

Director Sandoval said the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department will increase patrolling of the three beaches to ensure guidelines are being met.

Parking lots and bathrooms at the three beaches will remain closed.

Ventura City Council Vote to Re-Open Parks and Beaches On a Limited Basis

Tonight, the Ventura City Council voted to re-open parks and beaches in the City of Ventura on a “limited closure” basis.

What this means is that parks and beaches will be open for active use only. Walking, running, hiking, cycling and other recreational uses with proper 6 foot social distancing and participants in these activities do not linger in any location.

The Promenade, pier, sidewalks, walking paths, trails and tracks within all City of Ventura beaches are open for use by the public so long as gatherings are socially distanced and no more than 5 people (under the most current VC Public Health Order).

Large group gatherings and picnics will not be allowed at this time to abide by current Ventura County Stay at Home orders.

Parking lots, playgrounds, restrooms, pools, sports/recreational fields and picnic areas will continue to be closed.

Failure to comply with these rules could result in closures as necessary. Parks and beaches can be shut down when overcrowding becomes an issue.

More details at www.cityofventura.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/21039/12A

Conejo Creek Dog Park, Other Off-Leash Dog Parks and Pickleball Parks Have Reopened in the Conejo Valley

This was Conejo Creek Dog Park at 1350 E Avenida De Las Flores, Thousand Oaks on Saturday.

Today, CPRD announced that the Conejo Creek Dog Park is back open, along with off-leash dog areas at Estella, Kimber and Walnut Grove Parks. They were previously closed on April 2nd. Humans must practice appropriate (6 foof minimum) social distancing at the parks. Dogs may continue smelling and sniffing other doggies as appropriate. Pickleball courts at Conejo Valley parks have also reopened (though other facilities e.g. playgrounds, etc.) are still closed

These and other Ventura County area dog parks at THIS LINK.

Conejo Open Space Announces Limited Access to COSCA Space and Trails in the Conejo Valley Beginning on Wednesday, April 22nd

The Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA) announced today that it will begin a phased and limited opening of trails in the Conejo Valley beginning this Wednesday, April 22nd.

COSCA trails will open for weekday walk-up entry Monday to Thursday between 6am and 6pm and Friday from 6am to 5pm.

Open space areas will be closed at 5pm on Fridays until 6am Monday, reflecting weekend closures.

All trailhead parking lots will remain closed. Visitors are asked to walk to a nearby trail and avoid driving to trails.

The weekday opening mirrors the policy implemented by the National Park Service.

The decision to begin limited opening is based on the Ventura County Health Officer’s Health Order that took effect on April 18th, extending the Stay at Home order to May 15th, but allowing physical activity outside the home for exercise. Note that the order recommends not gathering in groups larger than 5 people and that social distancing is mandatory in the open space. Visitors are also encouraged to wear cloth masks when on the trails (masks are not a replacement for social distancing).

This is a trial opening. Trails could be re-closed if safety protocols are not observed or health orders are changed.

conejo-openspace.org/assets/pr_weekday_trail_opening_20200420.pdf

City of Port Hueneme Announces "Soft Re-Opening" of Hueneme Beach on April 18th

The City of Port Hueneme closed Hueneme Beach to all activity on April 1st but has announced a “soft re-opening” after the Ventura County Public Health’s updated Stay at Home Order announced on April 18th.

The soft re-opening is contingent upon everyone visiting the beach adhering to the listed guidelines and restrictions. The city asks beachgoers to continue to wear masks while outside as people may continue to be asymptotic.

If beachgoers follow social distancing guidelines and these new beach restrictions, we will not need to reinstate another beach closure.

The city has asked visitors to use the beach to exercise and get fresh air but not as a place to hang out and socialize. Activities allowed on Hueneme Beach: Walking, running, exercise, surfing, biking, swimming, and other uses that require physical activity. None of these activities shall be done in groups.

The city is highly discouraging people from the following activities: Sunbathing, congregating, and sitting. In addition, items not allowed on the beach include blankets, chairs, coolers, umbrellas, tents and any item that promotes a stationary presence. The pier, picnic areas, restrooms, and playground equipment will continue to be closed.

There is no open street parking as ithis helps prevent people from simply congregating and hanging out in their vehicles. It continues to help expand our walkways for people walking in both directions and it creates and even bigger bicycle lane for those at the beach.

More detailed information and updates at porthuenemeemergency.org.