PRESS RELEASE

Long Beach, CA - The Long Beach Police Department is increasing enforcement methods to help ensure community safety. Most Long Beach residents are adhering to the "Safer at Home" Health Order designed to help stop the spread of COVID-19; however, some individuals continue to violate these orders.

“People are required to remain home except to travel to essential businesses or to engage in essential activities, provided that physical distancing requirements are practiced,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “It’s that simple. If you continue to violate these Health Orders, you are putting the community at risk and you can be cited to gain compliance.”

The spread of COVID-19 poses a substantial danger to public health within the City of Long Beach. Police will make every effort to use a common-sense approach that stresses education and warnings over enforcement to gain voluntary compliance of the “Safer at Home” Orders. Any business that continues to violate the Order is subject to civil and administrative penalties. Violation of the Social Distancing Order is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $1000, or by imprisonment for a term of not more than 90 days, or by both under California Health and Safety Code Section 120295 et seq.

“We are continuing to experience some non-compliance related to social distancing in public spaces,” said Police Chief Robert Luna. “Although our officers will have the discretion to issue citations, we are asking everyone to do the right thing and voluntarily comply with these orders. Minimizing the spread of the virus is a shared responsibility.”

By order of the City Health Officer in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19, all residents must remain at home, with the following exceptions:

• Travel to and from essential businesses or essential activities such as going to the grocery store or a medical appointment.
• Travel to work at, or provide service to, a healthcare operation or critical infrastructure.
• Exercise, jogging and other outdoor activities.

Physical distancing of six feet or more is required.

As previously announced, sports facilities at City-owned parks and beaches remain closed.

For the latest information on COVID-19, with details on all that the City of Long Beach is doing to keep its residents safe, visit: longbeach.gov/COVID19 and follow @LongBeachCity on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.