Long Beach residents over the new few weeks could see delays in trash pickup, street sweeping, homeless response, code enforcement and other high-demand city services as a growing number of employees fall ill in the COVID-19 surge.

In addition to the delays in services, the city has also postponed the 34th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and Celebration, which was originally scheduled for Jan. 15, as well as the 2022 Homeless Point in Time Count, scheduled for Jan. 25.

From Newport Beach to Los Angeles, cities across the region are postponing events and in-person meetings as the number of new COVID-19 cases hits the highest levels since the beginning of the pandemic two years ago.

Long Beach has also opted to move its in-person City Council and commission meetings to virtual starting on Jan. 18 and has temporarily suspended in-person programing for libraries. Drop-in services and access to libraries will continue.

The upcoming community budget meetings for the fiscal year 2023, originally scheduled multiple in-person dates in January, will be postponed and rescheduled for virtual sessions.

Long Beach Animal Care Services is open by appointment only Wednesdays through Sundays. To make an appointment to adopt or foster a pet, people may email [email protected] or call 562-570-4925.

Officials said Long Beach is experiencing high cases of COVID-19 for workers in departments including fire, police, disaster preparedness and emergency communications, public works, library services and the Health Department.

Police and fire response times are “being actively managed daily” and the city has not yet seen delays, despite significant staffing challenges and high levels of both isolated and quarantined staff, officials said. 

For more information on city services visit longbeach.gov, and for bill payment options visit the Financial Services website.

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