COVID-19, the highly contagious new coronavirus that originated in Wuhan, China in December 2019, has taken the world by storm. On March 11th, the World Health Organization labeled COVID-19 as a pandemic.
Numerous measures are being put into place in order to stop the spread of this infectious respiratory disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend the following for those at a higher risk of getting very sick from the illness:
Keep space between yourself and others; e.g. practice “social distancing.”
Stay away from others who are sick, limit contact and wash your hand well and often.
Avoid crowds as much as possible. Avoid cruises and air travel.
Wash with soap and water at least 20 seconds.
On March 12th, Governor Newsom issued an executive order that, among other things, gatherings of over 250 people should be cancelled or postponed until at least the end of March (this has since been extended to TBA).
Here is a compilation of mostly local updates on what is being done to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The VCEmergency.com website is updated frequently with COVID-19 updates at www.vcemergency.com. The site tells you what to do and where to go if you believe you have contracted the virus. The number of positive COVID-19 cases reported on that site are updated HERE.
CDC updates at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html. The number of total cases and deaths in the U.S. are reported there and summarized here at THIS LINK.
The World Health Organization recognized COVID-19 as a pandemic on March 11, 2020., when there were 118,000 cases (5.7 million cases as of 5/29) in 114 countries, leading to 4,291 deaths (356,736 deaths as of 5/29). The WHO maintains a dashboard of COVID-19 cases around the world at THIS LINK and are compiled daily HERE.
3/19/20 6:44pm; The entire State of California has been placed on “Stay at Home” orders until further notice. Details at THIS LINK. Outdoor activities are not completely banned, but residents must maintain a social distance of at least six feet away from other people.
3/26/20: The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that was signed into law. CARES provides over $2 trillion in relief to businesses and individuals. One aspect of this legislation is Recovery Rebate Checks that are discussed in detail HERE.
3/17/20: Ventura County Public Health announced the following types of businesses in Ventura County are ordered to close effective 12:01 a.m. March 18th until changed by the county: Bars and nightclubs that do not serve food, movie theaters, live performance venues, bowling alleys and arcades, gyms, fitness centers and aquatic centers and wineries, breweries, and tap rooms that provide tastings. Anyone 75+ or 70+ with health issues are ordered to shelter in place of residence until April 1st. Restaurants may only prepare and offer food for delivery, pick-up or drive-thru. UPDATE: Three days later, on 3/20/20, the order is now “Stay Well at Home” through April 20th.UPDATE 4/14/20: The Ventura County Stay at Home Order will be extended to May 15th according to the VC Star on April 14th.
UPDATE 4/18/20: VC Public Health issued a new Stay at Home Order tonight, applicable at 11:59PM tonight until 11:59PM on May 15th. Here are some highlights of changes from the previous order:
1. Public/private gatherings of six or more are prohibited (previously 2 or more).
2. Non-Essential businesses of 10 or less with no physical interaction with the public may operate (with proper social distancing protocols in place).
3. Gatherings of up to 10 people are allowed for the purpose of live or virtual presentations if done outside and persons from the same household must be in a motor vehicle with no more than 5 people in the vehicle. Vehicles must be at least 6 fee apart.
4. The list of Essential Activities for outdoor activity now includes golf, tennis and pickleball, among other activities (such as cycling, hiking, gardening, etc.)
5. The list of Essential Businesses has expanded somewhat, to now include drive-thru car washes, auto sales and businesses that support other Essential Businesses.
6. Same as before: Only businesses whose primary business is selling food, beverages, pet supplies or household products (cleaning and personal care) are considered Essential Businesses. If less than a third of a business’s gross sales constituted essential products over the last six months, they are not considered an Essential Business. No clothing, jewelry, sporting goods, furniture, etc. sales.
3/31/20: Ventura County Public Health expanded upon previous orders on 3/17 and 3/20 to include additional limitations and restrictions. Only businesses providing essential food/drinks, pet supplies, household items and auto repair shops and supply stores may operate.
4/9/20: An updated Stay Well at Home Order was issued today by Ventura County Public Health that advises long-term care facilities to relocate COVID-19 patients to hospitals, eliminates gatherings of 2 or more people outside a household (except to operate essential businesses/services), enables bike shops and car dealers to sell online and deliver items to residences only, requires essential businesses to post social distancing protocols and more.
5/12/20: VC Public Health announced that certain additional businesses may begin opening 5/13, with Covic-19 protection measures in place. These include childcare for those outside of the essential workforce, office-based businesses, select service businesses such as car washes, pet grooming and landscaping and outdoor gallery spaces.
5/20/20: The County of Ventura is the first and largest Southern California county to receive approval from the California Department of Public Health to move forward on an accelerated Stage 2 path to reopening. With this approval, Ventura County restaurants can now offer dine-in options and all retail businesses with exterior facing entrances are permitted to have customers inside of their stores, starting Thursday, May 21st.
6/11/20: The VC Health Officer issued an updated health order effective June 11. The order approves implementation of state guidance regarding various types of business and entities such as houses of worship, campgrounds, outdoor recreation, day camps, family entertainment centers, fitness facilities, hotels, eateries, museums, galleries, zoos, etc. The health order is in effect until further notice.
6/18/20: The State of California has mandated the use of face coverings when out and about.
5/26/20: Hair salons and barbershops may apply to reopen beginning 5/27 in Ventura County.
Compilation of COVID-19 guidance on the California Department of Public Health site.
CDC list of disinfectants for use against SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 at www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/list-n-disinfectants-use-against-sars-cov-2.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health updated its “Safer at Home” order on April 10th, which extended the order to May 15th (UPDATED ORDER 5/29 EXTENDS ORDER UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE).
MAY 6TH UPDATE: LA COUNTY TO BEGIN LIFTING RESTRICTIONS ON CERTAIN BUSINESSES AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES EFFECTIVE MAY 8TH. Trails and parks to reopen.
LA COUNTY BEACH UPDATES AT beaches.lacounty.gov/covid-19-facility-closures/#beaches.
Fri 4/17: The County of Ventura Parks Department announced that all county day use parks will reopen to pedestrian and bicycle access only. County trails are also open. All county campground parks will continue to be closed. See a list of inland parks at www.ventura.org/parks-department/inland-parks. UPDATE 5/17: Foster Park at 37 Casitas Vista Road in Ventura is closed until further notice due to overcrowding and illegal parking yesterday.
4/30 Update: VC Sheriff announced that parking on PCH Will be closed between County Line Beach and Point Mugu State Beach will be closed. Also closed will be parking between Emma Wood State Beach to the Santa Barbara County line.
SCHOOLS
3/18/20: Ventura County Office of Education announced that all Ventura County school districts will be closed until Monday, May 4th. UPDATE 4/1/20: VCOE announces ALL Ventura School districts will be closed through the remainder of the school year, while distance learning and school meals will continue.
Simi Valley USD announced school is cancelled the week of March 16. Spring break is the following week and current plans are to reopen March 30th. An update will be communicated no later than March 27th. (NOW CLOSED THE ENTIRE SCHOOL YEAR)
Conejo Valley USD announced school is cancelled the week of March 16th and potential extension of closures will be announced prior to Friday, March 20th. UPDATE 3/18/20: CVUSD announced schools now will be closed through Monday, May 4th. Virtual learning activities will be put in place. Details at conejousd.org/Coronavirus-Health-Safety-Tips-and-Information. (NOW CLOSED THE ENTIRE SCHOOL YEAR)
Local colleges and universities announced virtual instruction plans. CSU Channel Islands, Ventura County Community Colleges (Moorpark, Oxnard, Ventura), Cal Lutheran and Pepperdine.
PARKS, BEACHES AND TRAILS
Conejo Recreation & Park District announced on March 12th that the Goebel Adult Center will be closed starting March 13th and other community centers like the Teen Center, Borchard Community Center, Hillcrest Center, CLU Community Pool, etc., will be closed starting March 14th until further notice. CRPD leagues and classes will be cancelled as of March 14th until further notice. UPDATE 3/20: Most spring events and classes are cancelled or postponed.
3/30/20: All trails and playgrounds as a reminder are closed until further notice.
As 4/1/20: CPRD has closed the Borchard Skatepark, all tennis courts, pickleball courts, basketball courts and the pump track/bike park and beginners’ bike pump track at Sapwi Neighborhood Park. PICKLEBALL COURTS, TENNIS COURTS AND DISC GOLF REOPENED AS OF 4/20. SOCIAL DISTANCING, NO GATHERING, NO HANGING OUT IS CRITICAL
As of 4/2/20: CRPD has closed the Conejo Creek Dog Park, off-leash areas at Estella, Kimber and Walnut Grove Parks and all volleyball courts. THESE ARE REOPENED AS OF 4/20
4/29: Conejo Valley Botanic Garden is now open weekdays only. Parking lots closed. Wear masks and be sure to socially distance.
CRPD Virtual Recreation Center: www.crpd.org/virtual-recreation-center
City of Agoura Hills Community Services Department announced on March 12th that all upcoming programs and recreation facilities will be closed until further notice. Additionally, as of March 20th, all park playgrounds and restrooms in Agoura Hills are closed until further notice. Park open space and walking paths will remain open.
Pleasant Valley Recreation & Park District announced as of March 14th, all indoor facilities (Senior Center, Community Center, etc) are closed and activities, classes, leagues are cancelled and special events are cancelled through the end of April. PVRPD parks will remain open but they remind us to adhere to the 6 foot social distancing guidelines.
As of 4/2/20: Camarillo Grove Park and hiking trails open 7am-5pm. All neighborhood and community parks are open, but playgrounds and fitness equipment are off limits. Dog parks at Mission Oaks and Springville open 7am to dusk. Updates at pvrpd.specialdistrict.org/updates. Camarillo Grove Park will be Closed April 11 & 12 (Saturday & Sunday) in an abundance of caution for Easter weekend gatherings and will re-open on Monday (April 13).
Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District announced all meetings and events, activities and facilities (community centers, pool, Strathearn Historical Park, Santa Susana Train Depot, etc.) are closed as of March 14th. UPDATE 5/15: Most activities and events cancelled through June 30th. Facilities closed through May 31st. Updates by RSRPD to be posted at rsrpd.org.
RSRPD parks, trails, public restrooms and other outdoor spaces remain open, but playground structures, equipment, tennis courts, volleyball courts, basketball courts, etc. are closed through at least May 31st.
On March 22nd, due to overcrowding of trails and folks not consistently practicing six foot social distancing, the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority closed all trails in the Santa Monica Mountains within its jurisdiction. Some of those closest to the Conejo Valley include Happy Camp Canyon in Moorpark, Las Virgenes View Park, Zev Yaroslavsky Las Virgenes Highlands Park, Triunfo Creek Park, King Gillette Ranch, Rocky Peak Park in Simi Valley and Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve.
On March 22nd, the National Park Service closed Solstice Canyon Park due to overcrowding. Other NPS locations will also be closed if proper social distancing is not maintained by trailgoers.
On March 24th, the National Park Service announced it has temporarily closed parking areas at all Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area parking areas. They have not closed off day use access to the trails to mitigate crowding. UPDATE: On April 1st, the National Park Service announced that trails in Ventura County will be closed from 2 pm on Fridays until 6 am on Mondays until further notice. These trails include Rancho Sierra Vista (including the Wendy Trailhead), Circle X Ranch (including Sandstone Peak, Mishe Mokwa, etc.), Cheeseboro Canyon and Deer Creek.
NPS UPDATE 5/8/20: TRAILS MANAGED BY THE NPS IN THE SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS WILL BE BACK OPEN ON WEEKENDS EFFECTIVE 5/9/20, INCLUDING PARKING LOTS (EXCEPTION: SOLSTICE CANYON). Visitor centers at King Gillette Ranch and the Satwiwa Native American Cultural Center will continue to be closed.
On March 24th, Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA) announced parking at most trails will be closed off and that if excessive crowding and loitering at local trailheads continues, we risk losing access to them.
On Friday, March 27th, COSCA announced that all trails in the Conejo Open Space will be closed until further notice. This followed the announcement that all trails, beaches, beach bike paths and piers in Los Angeles County are closed March 27th though April 19th (subsequently extended to May 15th). UPDATED 4/20 AND 5/9 - SEE BELOW
COSCA UPDATE 4/20: COSCA announced today it will reopen trails from 6am to 6pm weekdays (5pm on Fridays), closed from 5pm Friday to 6am Monday. Parking lots and other facilities will remain close. Folks must practice social distancing and not congregates in groups of more than 5 or we risk losing access again to the trails. They ask that you walk to a local trail rather than drive to one. Masks are encouraged, but not required, nor a substitute for proper social distancing.
COSCA UPDATE 5/8: Trails in the Conejo Open Space will reopen on weekends starting tomorrow.
Effective March 31st, all California State Parks in Los Angeles County are closed. The parking lots of ALL 280 state parks are closed. Point Mugu State Park and San Buenaventura State Beach is also now closed to all use (as of 4/1/20). Details at www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=30355. Additionally, effective April 8th, Emma Wood State Beach and Mandalay State Beach are closed. UPDATE 5/15: Point Mugu State Park and Sycamore Cove beaches open but parking lots remain closed. UPDATE 5/15: Malibu Creek State Park is open but parking is limited to lower lot. Rock Pool and Century Lake are closed. UPDATE 5/23: Parking lots at Point Mugu State Park have reopened.
Effective April 1st, all parks and beaches in the City of Ventura were closed until further notice in order to support the urgent need for physical distancing during the COVID-19 emergency period. This includes the Promenade, Pier, and Wastewater Treatment Plant wildlife ponds. City Council voted on April 20th to re-open beaches (including promenade area) and parks on a LIMITED basis for active use only. Playgrounds, parking, facilities to remain closed. EFFECTIVE 5/29, Ventura beaches are also available for “passive” use as long as social distancing takes place and large groups do not congregate.
Westlake Village Dog Park is closed March 9th through May 1st for the annual turf renovation project.
City of Port Hueneme closed Hueneme Beach April 1st. However, the beach is reopened April 18th but only for individual exercise and activities like walking, running, surfing, etc. The pier, playground, restrooms, etc. continue to be closed.
City of Oxnard beaches and parks have remained open. Park restrooms, parking lot, athletic courts, skateparks, playgrounds, dog parks, etc. are closed.
VENUES AND BUSINESSES
B of A Performing Arts Center Thousand Oaks is announcing cancellations and rescheduled performances at https://www.facebook.com/bapactoaks
The Moorpark Active Adult Center is closed until further notice, beginning March 13th.
The LA Zoo is closed through at least March 31st (UPDATED TO MAY 15TH)
Many, if not most, or perhaps even all local area museums will be closed for extended periods.
AMC Theatres has announced is closed for 6 to 8 weeks
The Santa Barbara Zoo will close effective March 17th until further notice.
Old Mission Santa Barbara was still open (as of 3/14) for self-guided tours 9am to 5pm. However, all docent-led tours are cancelled through April 30th. UPDATE 3/20: All tours closed through at least March.
America’s Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College is closed to the public and there will be no shows through April 12th. Zoo birthday parties are canceled until April 18th at this time.
The Reagan Library and all Presidential Libraries across the country will be closed until further notice.
Ventura County Library branches will remain open (as of 3/14). Library programs and events are cancelled or postponed until further notice. UPDATE: All branches are now closed until further notice.
City of Moorpark announced the Moorpark Library will be closed until further notice, the Active Adult Center will be closed until further notice and recreational programs and events are cancelled through the end of April.
Simi Valley Library is closed March 14th to at least April 3rd, or until further notice.
Camarillo Public Library is closed until further notice.
All Los Angeles County Libraries, including the local Westlake Village and Agoura Hills branches, will be closed until the end of March (UPDATE: UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE). All programs have been cancelled.
All Southeast Ventura County YMCA facilities in the Conejo Valley are closed through March and beyond.
Los Robles Greens reopened on April 19th.
MUNICIPALITIES
Agoura Hill City Hall is closed to the public effective Monday, March 16th and all upcoming city events scheduled will be cancelled or rescheduled.
The City of Thousand Oaks has announced a formal state of emergency to help prepare to slow transmission of the virus. The T.O. and N.P. Libraries will be closed through March.
