PRESS RELEASE
City of Long Beach
Public Information Office
411 W. Ocean Blvd,
Long Beach, CA 90802
www.longbeach.gov
7/16/2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEPress Release # 071621-3
Subject:
City of Long Beach Issues Updated Health Order Regarding to Use of Facial Coverings
Facial coverings now required indoors for all, regardless of vaccination status
Contact:
City of Long Beach Joint Information Center
562.570.NEWS
jic@longbeach.gov
562.570.NEWS
jic@longbeach.gov
Long Beach, CA - The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) has issued an updated Health Order, effective at 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, July 17, 2021, reinstating the use of facial coverings for everyone in indoor public settings and businesses, regardless of vaccination status. The mandate comes as Long Beach has seen a significant rise in COVID-19 cases in the month since the State of California fully reopened; Long Beach’s updated Health Order is in alignment with Los Angeles County's order released earlier today.
“As difficult as it is to face any setbacks, we must put the safety of people in Long Beach front and center,” said Health and Human Services Director Kelly Colopy. “Indoor masking, in conjunction with the unvaccinated stepping up to protect themselves and others by getting the vaccine, is our best hope for decreasing cases and restoring a sense of normality.”
The City of Long Beach has seen a 331% increase in average daily cases over the past two weeks and 860% since June 15. The current case rate is 8.9 per 100,000 residents, up from less than 1 per 100,000 on June 15. Hospitalizations for COVID-19 in area hospitals have increased from 20 to 34 in the past two weeks and almost all are among unvaccinated people. These trends are similar to those reported by Los Angeles County. In addition, the CDC lists Los Angeles County, including Long Beach, as an area of “substantial” virus transmission.
The Delta variant, which is more highly transmissible, is now the dominant strain in California, including in Southern California, comprising 60% to 70% of new cases. This variant is much more highly transmissible. Whereas the average person with the original strain of COVID-19 would infect 2.5 others, on average, in the same environment, a person infected with the Delta variant could infect nearly seven other people.
The new Health Order, available at www.longbeach.gov/covid19 later today, will require face coverings for all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, in all indoor public settings, venues, gatherings and businesses. Examples include:
Businesses, individuals and venue operators or hosts of public indoor settings must require patrons to wear face-coverings, regardless of vaccination status, and post signage at entry points communicating the masking requirement for all patrons.
Private gatherings are not subject to masking requirements and at this time, no capacity restrictions or changes to other business operations are included in the Health Order.
As new variants emerge, it is more important than ever for people to get their COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccines available have been shown to be effective against severe illness, hospitalization and death for the variants that have appeared so far, including the Delta variant. The City recently expanded mobile vaccination options throughout July in an effort to make vaccines more accessible.
The City continues to encourage all eligible community members to get the COVID-19 vaccine to protect themselves and others. There are a variety of ways eligible people can receive vaccines in Long Beach. For information about the City’s vaccination locations and hours of operation, visit longbeach.gov/vaxlb. Appointments are not required, but people interested in scheduling an appointment may do so by visiting the State’s vaccination portal, MyTurn.ca.gov, or by calling Vaccine Information Line at 562.570.4636. All vaccines are administered free of charge and have been provided directly by the federal government. No identification is needed to make an appointment or to be seen without an appointment.
This action was put in place by the City Health Officer, Dr. Anissa Davis, and in accordance with the Emergency Powers granted to the City Manager through the Proclamation of Local Emergency. It is effective from 11:59 p.m. Saturday, July 17, until it is extended, rescinded or amended in writing by the Health Officer.
For the latest information on COVID-19, with details on all that the City of Long Beach is doing to keep our residents safe, visit longbeach.gov/COVID19 and follow @LongBeachCity on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. People may also visit longbeach.gov/COVID19data for up to date information regarding cases and vaccines in Long Beach.
For the latest information on COVID-19, with details on all that the City of Long Beach is doing to keep our residents safe, visit longbeach.gov/COVID19 and follow @LongBeachCity on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. People may also visit longbeach.gov/COVID19data for up to date information regarding cases and vaccines in Long Beach.
“As difficult as it is to face any setbacks, we must put the safety of people in Long Beach front and center,” said Health and Human Services Director Kelly Colopy. “Indoor masking, in conjunction with the unvaccinated stepping up to protect themselves and others by getting the vaccine, is our best hope for decreasing cases and restoring a sense of normality.”
The City of Long Beach has seen a 331% increase in average daily cases over the past two weeks and 860% since June 15. The current case rate is 8.9 per 100,000 residents, up from less than 1 per 100,000 on June 15. Hospitalizations for COVID-19 in area hospitals have increased from 20 to 34 in the past two weeks and almost all are among unvaccinated people. These trends are similar to those reported by Los Angeles County. In addition, the CDC lists Los Angeles County, including Long Beach, as an area of “substantial” virus transmission.
The Delta variant, which is more highly transmissible, is now the dominant strain in California, including in Southern California, comprising 60% to 70% of new cases. This variant is much more highly transmissible. Whereas the average person with the original strain of COVID-19 would infect 2.5 others, on average, in the same environment, a person infected with the Delta variant could infect nearly seven other people.
The new Health Order, available at www.longbeach.gov/covid19 later today, will require face coverings for all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, in all indoor public settings, venues, gatherings and businesses. Examples include:
- Offices
- Retail
- Restaurants, bars, pubs and breweries when not eating or drinking
- Theaters
- Family entertainment centers
- Gyms and fitness centers
- Meeting spaces
- State and local government offices serving the public
Businesses, individuals and venue operators or hosts of public indoor settings must require patrons to wear face-coverings, regardless of vaccination status, and post signage at entry points communicating the masking requirement for all patrons.
Private gatherings are not subject to masking requirements and at this time, no capacity restrictions or changes to other business operations are included in the Health Order.
As new variants emerge, it is more important than ever for people to get their COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccines available have been shown to be effective against severe illness, hospitalization and death for the variants that have appeared so far, including the Delta variant. The City recently expanded mobile vaccination options throughout July in an effort to make vaccines more accessible.
The City continues to encourage all eligible community members to get the COVID-19 vaccine to protect themselves and others. There are a variety of ways eligible people can receive vaccines in Long Beach. For information about the City’s vaccination locations and hours of operation, visit longbeach.gov/vaxlb. Appointments are not required, but people interested in scheduling an appointment may do so by visiting the State’s vaccination portal, MyTurn.ca.gov, or by calling Vaccine Information Line at 562.570.4636. All vaccines are administered free of charge and have been provided directly by the federal government. No identification is needed to make an appointment or to be seen without an appointment.
This action was put in place by the City Health Officer, Dr. Anissa Davis, and in accordance with the Emergency Powers granted to the City Manager through the Proclamation of Local Emergency. It is effective from 11:59 p.m. Saturday, July 17, until it is extended, rescinded or amended in writing by the Health Officer.
For the latest information on COVID-19, with details on all that the City of Long Beach is doing to keep our residents safe, visit longbeach.gov/COVID19 and follow @LongBeachCity on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. People may also visit longbeach.gov/COVID19data for up to date information regarding cases and vaccines in Long Beach.
For the latest information on COVID-19, with details on all that the City of Long Beach is doing to keep our residents safe, visit longbeach.gov/COVID19 and follow @LongBeachCity on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. People may also visit longbeach.gov/COVID19data for up to date information regarding cases and vaccines in Long Beach.
###