In this file photo from May 11, 2020, the bike and walking paths start to fill as residents are allowed to use them after closures due to the coronavirus pandemic. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.

Long Beach will prohibit nearly all public and private gatherings, among other restrictions, beginning Wednesday after a dramatic surge in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations over the past week.

The city on Tuesday released specifics about will be allowed under the new health order going into effect at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. The new restrictions are similar to ones issued by Los Angeles County, which went into effect Monday. There are, however, some differences.

The city’s new health order implores residents to stay home whenever possible to slow the spread of COVID-19, which as of Tuesday, has infected 16,786 residents and has killed 277 people in Long Beach. If people need to go out for essential work or permitted activities, they should wear a face covering and practice social distancing.

“Being close together is the highest risk activity that you can participate in,” Kelly Colopy, director of the city’s health department, said at a media briefing Tuesday.

Gatherings

Similar to LA County, all public and private gatherings and events with individuals not in one’s household are prohibited except for religious services and protests, which are constitutionally protected rights.

Outdoor recreation

Beaches, trails and parks will remain open for running, biking, walking, swimming and playing outdoors. People should practice distancing, wear masks and only gather with people in their own household.

Shared outdoor facilities for recreational activities already operating will remain open for individuals or members of a single household, including golf courses, tennis courts, pickleball courts, archery ranges, skate parks, bike parks and community gardens.

Outdoor playgrounds

Unlike LA County, city playgrounds will remain open, but with restrictions:

  • No more than two households on the equipment at a time.
  • People must maintain a physical distance of 6 feet or more from members of other households at all times
  • All visitors, age 2 or older, must wear face coverings.
  • No eating or drinking is allowed at the playground to ensure face coverings are worn at all times.
  • Adult supervision is required at playgrounds to ensure that the above safety protocols are met.
Capacity at businesses

Unlike LA County, Long Beach is keeping occupancy at nonessential retail at 25% (the county lowered this to 20%), which is the maximum allowed under the state’s tiered system.

Personal care services, such as nail and hair salons, will also remain at 25% occupancy, and outdoor operations at businesses such as miniature golf and batting cages is capped at 50%.

Fitness centers, museums, galleries, zoos, aquariums and botanical gardens can also operate outdoors only, with all individuals required to wear face coverings and stay 6 feet apart.

Businesses are expected to monitor all entrances to track occupancy, including being prepared to queue customers outside while still maintaining physical distance and, if necessary, posting employees at entrances to track occupancy and direct customers to line up 6 feet apart outside if the establishment has reached its occupancy limit.

Restaurants

A ban on all dine-in service at Long Beach restaurants, bars and other eateries went into effect on Nov. 25 and will continue for at least three weeks—the same as LA County.

Curfew

In alignment with the state, all activities conducted outside the residence with members of other households must cease between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., except for essential activities and those activities required by law. People experiencing homelessness are not subject to this curfew.

Any number of persons from the same household may leave their residence if they do not engage in any interaction with individuals from other households.

Information

Businesses with questions regarding the new protocols may call the city’s business information line between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays at 562-570-4249. Residents with questions may call the city’s information line from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays at 562-570-4636.

Melissa Evans is the Chief Executive Officer of the Long Beach Post and Long Beach Business Journal. Reach her at [email protected], @melissaevansLBP or 562-512-6354.