Officials in Long Beach and Los Angeles County made significant announcements this week that will ease some of the stay-at-home orders, starting on Friday.

Here’s a list of what you will soon be able to do in Long Beach—and how that differs from others areas of Los Angeles County.

Long Beach

Beginning Friday, May 8, Long Beach residents will be to use local trails and buy goods from some retail stores.

Retail operations that sell flowers, toys, music, books, clothing and sporting goods will be allowed to open for curbside pickup only. Late Thursday, the city also added jewelry, shoe, home and furnishing and antique stores to the list.

Car dealership showrooms also can open for sales, with adherence to social distancing and infection control protocols.

Golf courses may also open Friday, but officials said they anticipate city courses (Recreation Park, Heartwell Park, Skylinks and El Dorado Park) won’t open until Saturday, May 9, to ensure proper protocols are being followed.

Golf courses may allow use of golf carts, so long as they are cleaned with disinfectant qualified for use against COVID-19 between uses. Concession stands and restaurants located at a golf course may operate for take-out only. Pro shops may open for curbside pickup only.

Public trails and trailheads (DeForest Wetlands, Nature Center and Willow Springs) will be open Friday, provided individuals engage in social distancing, including wearing face coverings while in close contact with people. Face coverings are not required while engaging in physically distanced exercising. (Parking lots with access to trailheads will be open to facilitate access to trails only.)

Beginning Monday, May 11, Long Beach residents will be able to use the following amenities, provided physical distancing is followed:

  • Tennis courts, so long as proper sanitation and physical distancing protocols are in place prior to operation
  • Archery
  • Disc golf
  • Bike and pedestrian paths along the sanded portion of the beach
  • Park parking lots (beaches will remain closed, as will beach parking lots)

Business owners or workers seeking guidance on the new health order changes can call 562-570-4249.

Los Angeles County

Beginning Friday, May 8, residents who live in areas governed by the county (which includes all cities except Long Beach and Pasadena), will be allowed to shop at retail stores similar to what Long Beach is allowing, with curbside pickup only.

Beginning Saturday, May 9, the county will reopen its hiking trails. Supervisor Kathryn Barger said the county will have staff deployed to ensure people are adhering to social-distancing requirements, and hikers over age 2 will be required to wear face coverings.

County parks officials urged residents not to visit trails if they are sick or exhibiting any sign of illness. People who do hike on the trails should do so only with members of their household, and hikers should bring water, hand-sanitizer and/or disinfecting wipes, park officials said.

Golf courses will also be able to reopen Saturday, but pro shops will remain closed, and golf course restaurants will be restricted to carry-out service only.

The county announced additional restrictions for golfers:

  • No more than four players per tee time.
  • Tee times will be at least 10 minutes apart.
  • Tournaments or group play will not be allowed.
  • Physical distancing of 6 feet will be required.
  • Golf courses will accept payment online only by debit, credit or gift card.
  • Push carts and walking are recommended because golf carts will be limited to single riders.
  • Rental golf clubs and push carts will not be available.
  • Drinking fountains will be closed.
  • Also, according to a county statement, golfers may not touch, remove or adjust the flag stick, green cups may not be touched, and rakes, ball washers, benches and sand bottles will be removed. Driving ranges will be open but practice putting greens and chipping practice areas remain closed.
Mother’s Day

Although Long Beach’s sports facilities and beaches have been closed since late March, parks have been open for passive uses such as walking and biking. Because Mother’s Day typically attracts large gatherings at public parks, city officials are reminding visitors that on Sunday, May 10, the park will still only be open for passive use. Gatherings and picnicking will not be allowed in the parks or parking spaces.

The county announced on Thursday that its parks would also be open on Mother’s Day for passive use only. The county’s four botanical gardens, however, will be closed.