Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia implemented stricter protocols for the city of Long Beach after mass beachgoers and park dwellers ignored social distancing protocols that were implemented in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Garcia tweeted his concerns on March 24, stating “The pier and parking lots to city beaches and parks are now closed. We are taking this next step because there are too many people ignoring social distancing while visiting our parks and beaches. You can still ride your bicycle, walk your dog or go for a run. Please follow order.”
The same day, the city of Long Beach issued a press release stating, “Access is now closed to Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier, the El Dorado Nature Center and parking lots at City-owned parks and beaches through April 19 to prevent large groups of people from congregating in public spaces, in accordance with the latest clarification to the state’s ‘Stay at Home’ order and the City of Long Beach’s ‘Safer at Home’ order.”
The amended ‘Safer at Home’ order makes it clear that no more mass gatherings of any number are allowed in the city of Long Beach, whereas before gatherings had been limited to ten people or less.
The press release also stated that, “Additionally, the closure of commercial properties and businesses listed under the City’s order was expanded to include indoor and outdoor flea markets and swap meets.”
Kate Kuykendall, a city spokesperson with the Long Beach Health Department’s joint information center, spoke about the reasoning behind the closures in further detail during a phone interview on March 25.
“The closures are a direct result of large gatherings that occurred over the weekend. The parking lots to beaches, not the beaches themselves, are closed, to try and prevent large gatherings” said Kuykendall.
“People can still go for a run or walk, and exercises that involve body weight are fine, but no gatherings allowed, and sports facilities equipment and exercise equipment are closed too,” she said.
Kuykendall also explained the reasoning behind closing sports equipment, including monkey bars, exercise machines, and basketball courts at parks and beaches.
“There are more opportunities to touch surfaces at parks and exercise equipment at beaches, where it can stay on surfaces for up to 72 hours,” she said.
Although the Long Beach Health Department operates separately and overrides the protocols of the Los Angeles County Health Department, Kuykendall clarified that county and state orders say this closure is in effect until April 19, but it’s hard to say if that will remain.
Long Beach has made some revisions to better align with county and state orders.
The revised “Safer at Home” order, released on March 24 by Dr. Anissa Davis, health officer of the Long Beach Health Department stated, “Existing community transmission of COVID‐19 in the City presents a substantial and significant risk of harm to the health of residents. Currently, there is no vaccine available to protect against and no specific treatment for COVID‐19.”
According to the order, “As of March 24, 2020, there have been at least 28 cases of COVID‐19 and 1 death reported in the City of Long Beach, and 536 cases of COVID‐19 and 6 deaths reported in Los Angeles County. There remains a strong likelihood of a significant and increasing number of suspected cases of community transmission.”
In addition, the Long Beach Police Department has issued new protocols to enforce health orders, and deal with businesses and people who ignore social distancing protocols.
Denise Green, Community Engagement Officer for LBPD, shared the City Response to Enforcement on Health Order through an e-mail on March 24.
The enforcement of health order states, “The City of Long Beach is asking all community members to voluntarily comply with the recent ‘Safer at Home’ Health Department order in an effort to keep everyone safe and healthy. “
In addition, the enforcement order states, “California Health and Safety Code 120275 et seq. makes it a misdemeanor crime for any business to fail to comply with a local Health Officer’s Order. This may be punishable by a fine, imprisonment, or both. If voluntary compliance cannot be obtained, a citation may be issued to the business staff/representative.”
For people that refuse to follow social distancing protocol, the order states, “If Long Beach police officers are dispatched to a call for service related to non-compliance with the order, officers have been directed to evaluate the totality of the circumstances and work to educate the persons involved to gain voluntary compliance. Enforcement action should be the last option utilized, unless the circumstances pose an immediate threat of violence or other serious public safety concerns.”
Several people were seen to still be utilizing exercise equipment at Junipero Beach on March 25, and Marine Bureau officers patrolling the area expressed frustration with those individuals, showcasing the increasing efforts and lack of care for social distancing among Long Beach residents.
Jane Gobarty, Superintendent for community information for the Long Beach Parks, Recreation, and Marine Department, spoke about the current situation for park maintenance during a phone interview March 25.
She assured the public that there will still be regularly scheduled maintenance at parks and beaches, that includes cleaning of bathrooms, trash pickup, sanitation, and park maintenance itself.
“So far, they’ll remain closed. There’s currently no determination for whether or not the parks will open sooner than the beaches, or vice versa. We just don’t know,” Gobarty said.
President Donald Trump, in light of plummeting stocks and fear of a recession, expressed his hope to rid the United States of social distancing by Easter.
“I would love to have the country opened up and just raring to go by Easter,” he said during a Fox News virtual town hall meeting in the Rose Garden on March 24. “We have to go back to work, much sooner than people thought.”
For now, Long Beach residents continue to use the beaches and parks for gatherings and exercise. Whether circumstances will change, and social distancing will become a thing of the past, or an essential protocol that remains ignored too long and leads to dire consequences, awaits to be seen.