PRESS RELEASE

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 Friday, September 17, 2021, requiring proof of vaccination in select high-risk settings starting October 7, implementing protocols for youth sports, and updates to the blanket quarantine and isolation orders. Long Beach’s updated Health Order is in alignment with Los Angeles County’s order, released on Friday, September 17.

“We all want to protect our community by reducing the risk of transmission of COVID-19,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “Requiring proof of vaccination in high-risk settings is an important step in achieving that. This new Health Order also helps protect our youth now that they are back in school and helps us move forward as safely as possible.”

Vaccine Verification in High-Risk Settings

• Effective October 7, 2021, the revised Health Order will require vaccination verification or a negative test result for participants within 72 hours prior to attending outdoor mega events of 10,000 people or more that are ticketed or held in a defined space with controlled points of entry.
• Attendees of indoor mega events of 1,000 or more people are already required to show proof of vaccination or a negative test result prior to entry.
• Vaccine verification will be required for customers and employees at indoor portions of bars, wineries, breweries, nightclubs, and lounges (establishments without a permitted kitchen)
  • Proof of at least one dose of the vaccine will be required by October 7, 2021 and proof of full vaccination will be required by November 4, 2021.
  • Employees may qualify for a qualifying medical reason or a religious belief exemption with required weekly screening testing.
  • While not required, vaccine verification for service within indoor portions of restaurants is strongly recommended
  • Masking continues to be required in all indoor public settings, venues, gatherings, and businesses.

Protocols for Youth Sports
The revised Health Order requires that effective September 25, 2021, youth recreational sports operate in accordance with the Protocol for Youth Recreational Sports to enhance safety for participants, coaches and communities and lower the risk of COVID-19 transmission with their teams. The protocol requires masking indoors and routine screening testing, presuming adequate COVID-19 diagnostic testing capacity and supplies, and offers best practices for youth sports leagues (including school sports teams) based in the City of Long Beach.

It is also strongly recommended that all student athletes ages 12 and older, coaches and team staff are fully vaccinated. Vaccination is the primary strategy to reduce the burden of COVID-19 and protect all members of the community.

Quarantine and Isolation Orders
The revised Health Order also implements updates to the blanket Quarantine and Isolation orders in alignment with the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), including the following updates to the duration of quarantine for unvaccinated individuals:

• Unvaccinated individuals who have had close contact with a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 positive person must quarantine for at least 7 days and up to 14 days after COVID-19 exposure. Individuals may discontinue quarantine within the timeframes below if they remain asymptomatic (i.e. do not develop symptoms):
  • After Day 10 from the date of the last exposure. Testing 5 to 7 days after exposure is strongly recommended but not required; OR
  • After Day 7 if the individual tests by having a diagnostic specimen collected on or after Day 5 from the date of last exposure and the test is negative.

It is important for people to get their COVID-19 vaccine to protect themselves and others. Data show that people who are vaccinated are much better protected against infection and severe disease. Vaccine clinics take place six days per week across Long Beach and mobile vaccine vans can visit those who are unable to travel to a City vaccine site. The vaccine clinic schedule is posted in English, Spanish, Khmer and Tagalog at longbeach.gov/vaxlb. People also may call 562.570.4636 or email Covid19Vaccine@longbeach.gov for assistance. 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.

Residents with questions regarding the new protocols may call the City's Information Line at 562.570.INFO (4636) between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays. Read all revisions to the Health order here.

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 on 11:59 p.m. on Friday, September 17, 2021, 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.