COVID-19 ALERT

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October 2020

OCTOBER 29, 2020 UPDATE
Chinese Translation
City Facilities to Remain Closed through November 30
The closure of City facilities will continue through November 30.  Even though our buildings remain closed to the public, you can still conduct most City business by phone, email and limited appointments.   For more information about what this means for each department and facility, please visit: https://www.cityofsanmarino.org/coronavirus

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health recently released protocols for the reopening of libraries, however, our library will remain closed to the public along with our other facilities in order to maintain the safety of our residents and staff.  We encourage you to take advantage of all of the services the library currently offers, including curbside pickup and a variety of online materials and programming. 

Yesterday, the County reported that there has been a gradual increase in the number of daily new cases and test positivity rate since the beginning of the month. As of yesterday, there have been 97 reported residents infected, and two deaths from COVID-19 in San Marino.  As we approach the unfortunate milestone of 100 cases, it is especially important to remember exposure to the virus can happen very quickly and we need to do our part to slow the spread. Per the updated LA County Department of Public Health guidelines, an exposure can occur when you are within 6 feet of an infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes over a 24-hour period. We can keep ourselves and those around us safe by wearing a face covering, practicing physical distancing, washing your hands, and avoiding gatherings with those outside of your household. 

Thank you for your patience and understanding with the closure of our City buildings and for continuing to help keep our community safe!   

Halloween
This year, door to door trick or treating is not recommended because it can be very difficult to control physical distancing on porches and at front doors.  For further information please refer to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Guidance for Celebrating Halloween at:
http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/docs/community/GuidanceHalloween.pdf

Please take a look at our Halloween activities below for some fun and safe ways to celebrate!

Overnight Parking Enforcement to Resume
Earlier this year when City facilities initially closed, enforcement of overnight parking restrictions was suspended. Starting December 1, the Police Department will begin issuing warnings for violations of overnight parking restrictions, with regular enforcement beginning January 2, 2021.  As a reminder, parking is not allowed on City streets between the hours of 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. 

OCTOBER 22, 2020 UPDATE
Chinese Translation 
Voting Safely
This year, Los Angeles County is encouraging voters to stay safe and vote using their Vote by Mail ballot.  These ballots can be returned in the following ways:
  • By mail – no postage is necessary.
  • At any Vote by Mail Drop Box in the County.  There is one in front of City Hall.
  • At any Vote Center in the County.  There will be one at Huntington Middle School.
 If you prefer to vote in person, we want to ensure you are prepared to have the safest experience possible.  Voters are encouraged to take advantage of early voting and vote at off-peak times if possible. The local Vote Center at Huntington Middle School is open daily beginning October 30 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.  Select Vote Centers will open on October 24.  When you visit a Vote Center, please do the following:
  • Wear a face covering while at the Vote Center or waiting in line. Face coverings and gloves will be available for voters if requested.
  • Maintain physical distance of at least six feet from people not in your household. This will be enforced while waiting in line and throughout the check-in and voting process.
  • Use hand sanitizer before approaching the check-in station and after voting. Hand sanitizer will be provided upon entry and exit of the Vote Center. Hand sanitizer will also be available at key stations during the voting process.
  • Bring your Sample Ballot and use the Interactive Sample Ballot to pre-mark selections to assist with check-in andhelp speed up the process.
  • Follow any additional guidance provided at your voting location, such as directional signage.
Election workers will also be trained to implement distancing and sanitizing protocols at Vote Centers, including sanitizing ePollbooks and Ballot Marking devices after every voter.  Curbside voting will continue to be available for voters who are unable to enter the Vote Center.  For more information on voting, including how to fill out your Interactive Sample Ballot or find other Vote Center locations, please visit www.lavote.net.  

In San Marino, we are close to the milestone of 100 cases.  Unfortunately, 96 of our residents have been infected with COVID-19 in our community.  Thank you for taking the precautions to have a safe voting experience, and please continue to wear your face coverings, wash your hands, and avoid close contact with others.

OCTOBER 15, 2020 UPDATE

Chinese Translation
Updated Health Officer Order
Earlier this month, the State released updated guidance to allow private gatherings of three or fewer households, as long as the private gathering is outdoors, everyone wears a face covering and keeps at least six feet of physical distance, food is in single-serve disposable containers, and the duration of the gathering is two hours or less. Yesterday the County announced they will update their Health Officer Order today to align with the State's guidance.

Even though small gatherings will now be permitted, please remember that gathering with people from different households increases the risk of COVID-19 transmission.  If you choose to gather with other households, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health recommends that you do so with the same households each time.

Any other type of gathering remains prohibited, even if outdoors.  We are now up to 96 COVID-19 cases in San Marino.  As restrictions ease, we ask that you continue to do your part to slow the spread of the virus.  Please wear your face covering, maintain your distance from others, frequently wash your hands, and only gather with others under these strict guidelines.    

Halloween Update
Last month, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued guidance on how to celebrate Halloween safely during the pandemic. Although door-to-door trick or treating is not prohibited, it is not recommended for the following reasons:

  • It can be very difficult to maintain proper physical distancing on porches and at front doors.
  • It is difficult to ensure that everyone answering or coming to the door is appropriately masked.
  • Sharing food is risky.

Trunk-or treating, in which children go from car-to-car instead of door-to-door, is also not recommended for similar reasons. Except as outlined above, gatherings and parties with non-household members, as well as carnivals, festivals, live entertainment and haunted house attractions are prohibited.

Despite these restrictions, Halloween in San Marino can still be fun! Our Community Services Department has put together a variety of activities so that our community can celebrate safely.   These include virtual Spooky Storytime, a Scavenger Haunt, Pumpkin Carving Contest, and a Howl O'Ween Pet Costume Contest.  Please view our Fall Community Services Guide below for more information.

OCTOBER 8, 2020 UPDATE
Chinese Translation
Reopening of the Playground at Lacy Park
Last week, Los Angeles County announced that playgrounds could reopen.  We were pleased to reopen the playground at Lacy Park this past weekend!  As with other reopenings, things will be a little bit different.  The State and County have outlined specific requirements for the use of playgrounds.  These rules are in place in order to keep everyone as safe as possible.  You’ll find signs posted at the playground reminding you of all of the requirements, but here some changes to be aware of:
  • Everyone 2 years of age or older should wear a face covering while at the playground.  Caregiver supervision is required at all times to ensure face covering usage.
  • No eating or drinking is allowed at the playground, to ensure face coverings are worn at all times.
  • Caregivers are required to actively monitor their children and ensure that they maintain at least 6 feet of distance from others that are not part of their household.
  • Do not use the playground when different households are unable to maintain a physical distance of 6 feet, or when the posted capacity limit has been reached.
  • Wash or sanitize hands before and after your visit to the playground.
  • Visits should be limited to 30 minutes when others are in the playground. 
  • Stay home if you are sick with fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
  • Elderly individuals and those persons with underlying medical conditions should be reminded to avoid the playground when others are present.
We have also placed a hand-sanitizing station near the playground and City staff will continue to clean the park benches and play structures.  So far we have seen great cooperation from the community with following these new rules – thank you! 
As you begin to use the playground and other newly reopened businesses again, please keep in mind that the number of COVID-19 cases we have had in San Marino is nearing 100.  It is critical that you continue to wear your face covering, wash your hands, avoid gatherings with those outside of your household, and maintain physical distance from others.  Thank you for doing your part to help keep everyone safe!

 
OCTOBER 1, 2020 UPDATE
Chinese Translation
LA County Announces New Reopenings
Yesterday Los Angeles County announced plans to allow the reopening of playgrounds and indoor operations of nail salons at 25% occupancy.  Other openings they announced that do not directly impact San Marino include indoor malls at 25% occupancy and card rooms for exterior gaming only.   The County will stagger the opening of these sectors over the next week, with nail salons permitted to open beginning today.  As with other reopenings, they will provide comprehensive protocols that must be followed for each sector.  Once the playground protocols are released, we will review them closely to determine when and how we can safely reopen the playground at Lacy Park. 

Los Angeles County is continuing to make progress in slowing the spread of COVID-19.  Key indicators, including positivity rates and deaths are declining.  The number of hospitalizations has stabilized after declining significantly since July.  The improvement in these indicators is a result of our actions and demonstrates the importance of wearing face coverings, avoiding gatherings, washing your hands, and keeping our distance from others.  Even though we’ve seen improvements, it is important to remember that the Department of Public Health has reported a total of 91 cases of COVID-19 that have occurred in our City, with two deaths resulting from the virus.  As additional sectors begin to open, it is even more critical that we continue to follow these best practices.  Thank you for helping to slow the spread!

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