Dear Residents,

The City of Rancho Palos Verdes continues to monitor the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Los Angeles County and would like to share the following updates with the community:

The Latest

Parks and Nature Preserve

In recent days, the City has noticed a high volume of visitors to our parks and open space areas. We recognize the importance of getting out for a walk or a hike under these circumstances, but remember, under the “Safer at Home” Order, everyone MUST practice physical distancing. This means maintaining 6 feet of separation between people, and not forming crowds.

Now is NOT the time for a group hike – in fact, it’s prohibited.

Please note that all public restrooms are closed, parking is limited and visitors are being turned away when safe conditions cannot be maintained. Law enforcement is issuing citations for traffic and parking violations.

We can’t stress enough that social distancing is the most effective tool at our disposal to fight this pandemic. We must all do our part to “flatten the curve.”

Please consider walking in your neighborhood as an alternative. If you do visit City parks or the Nature Preserve, practice social distancing, with 6 feet of separation between people, use hand-sanitizing stations, and park ONLY in designated parking spaces. Parking laws are being enforced. Please respect the grounds of our open space areas and dispose of trash in receptacles.

Remember, all indoor and outdoor gatherings of 10 or more people are prohibited under the “Safer at Home” Order.

Playgrounds

As a result of the order, playground areas at the following parks are closed to the public:

• Fred Hesse Jr. Community Park
• Robert E. Ryan Community Park
• Ladera Linda Park
• Eastview Park
• Deana Dana Friendship Park (County of Los Angeles)
• Martin J. Bogdanovich Park (City of Los Angeles)

Dog Parks

Both the Rancho Caninos Dog Park at Rancho Palos Verdes Civic Center and the Eastview Dog Park at Eastview Park remain open during normal, posted hours, at this time. Please practice social distancing, with 6 feet of separation between people, use hand-sanitizing stations, and park ONLY in designated parking spaces. Parking laws are being enforced.

Cases

As of March 22, there are 409 known cases of novel coronavirus across Los Angeles County, including the South Bay, so the public should not think one location is safer than another and everyone should be aware and practice social distancing. Five people have died.

Although today’s count includes the first confirmation of a case in Rancho Palos Verdes by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, it should be noted that it is City Staff’s understanding that cases in cities with populations under 25,000 people are now being added to the total of the nearest city. Regardless, RPV and the Peninsula are not immune to this virus, and we anticipate new reported cases.

For a list of cases broken down by city and age group, visit: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/phcommon/public/media/mediapubdetail.cfm?unit=media&ou=ph&prog=media&cur=cur&prid=2277&row=25&start=1
 
It’s also important to note that the total number of confirmed cases that the Department of Public Health shares every day reflects a moment in time and may not include cases confirmed by commercial labs that have not yet been shared with the Department of Public Health. A commercial lab may share a positive result with a physician before the health department.

PVPUSD FAQs

The Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District has added a list of frequently asked questions related to the school closure on its website at https://www.pvpusd.net/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1705360&type=d&pREC_ID=1869176 

Marymount California University

Marymount California University has closed its campus and moved all instruction online for the rest of the spring semester. Faculty and staff are working remotely and able to provide services. The Villas remain open with food service, security and supervision. Other campus services are available remotely by email and phone. Athletic practices and competitions have been suspended through the end of the academic year and university-sponsored events have been cancelled or postponed. Commencement and graduation-related programs, including the baccalaureate mass and celebratory toast, are postponed. For more information, visit marymountcalifornia.edu 

Map of Terranea Resort Open Public Trails

Terranea Resort has produced a map showing public coastal trails that remain open and accessible during regular posted hours while the resort grounds are temporarily closed to the public. As a reminder, there is a 24/7 on-site security presence at the resort. To view the map, click on the following link: Terranea Resort Open Public Trails Map (PDF)

Golf Course Closures

Both Trump National Golf Club and the Los Verdes Golf Course are closed to the public until further notice.

Other Closures

For a list of school, library, transit and other local closures, visit the Closure Information page on the City’s coronavirus webpage.

Open for Business

Need a list of Peninsula restaurants that are serving takeout and delivery? Or updated grocery store hours? Check out the Open for Business tab on the City’s coronavirus webpage. If you would like to add your business to this page or provide updated information, please email slee@rpvca.gov.

Watch the latest episode of RPVtv’s “Around the Peninsula” featuring an interview with PVP Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Eileen Hupp to find out how you can support local businesses during the coronavirus outbreak: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etJcYqikC9o  

How You Can Help

PVPUSD School Board Member Linda Reid is coordinating a volunteer effort to match up senior citizens needing errand/grocery/meal help in PV with volunteers. PVPUSD students, parents, and alums unexpectedly home from college will assist! Any older residents may email Member Reid at reidl@pvpusd.net to be matched up with a local volunteer during this difficult isolating time. 
 
Neighborhood Watch block captains are available to assist any and all individuals who would like some form of assistance at this time. Those who are not yet a part of Neighborhood Watch can contact Gail Lorenzen at rpvnw@ix.netcom.com
 
Blood Donations Needed
 
The American Red Cross faces a severe blood shortage due to an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations during the coronavirus outbreak. There is no clinical evidence that COVID-19 is transmissible through blood. Healthy individuals are needed to donate now to help patients counting on lifesaving blood, platelets or AB Elite plasma.
 
The Red Cross also urges organizations to maintain scheduled blood drives. Donating is a safe process and people should not hesitate to give or receive blood or platelets. The Red Cross has implemented additional precautions to ensure the safety of its donors and staff.
 
This blood shortage could impact patients who need surgery, victims of car accidents and other emergencies, or patients fighting cancer. Learn how to donate at redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800 RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767)

Senior Support

Please consider checking on your older neighbors or those with underlying health conditions. There are ways to let people know you care while keeping a safe distance (e.g., a phone call, a text, a note under their door to make sure they have everything they need). Self-isolation doesn’t need to mean loneliness. Lomita Sheriff’s Station deputies are available to provide a “welfare check” for seniors. Residents are encouraged to call the station’s non-emergency number at 310-539-1661 if they are aware of seniors who are at risk or may need attention. We are all in this together.

City Hall Closed

As a reminder, to reduce the risk of community spread of COVID-19, through at least April 19, City Hall and park buildings are closed to the public, and all recreational activities, classes and events at City facilities have been canceled. Advisory board meetings have been canceled through the end of March. The City will primarily be providing essential city services that are necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of our community and City employees. To facilitate these measures, all non-essential staff will be working remotely. Inquiries will be reviewed daily and will be responded to on a case-by-case basis. Please note that our response to your inquiry could be delayed.

Community Development Department applications and permit requests may be submitted to planning@rpvca.gov. 

Non-emergency service requests may be submitted at http://www.rpvca.gov/FormCenter/NonEmergency-Customer-Service-Requests-3/NonEmergency-Customer-Service-Requests-43. 

Public Works service requests may be submitted at https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/6d13530e7ca84edbb5c4e022bdc54da8. 
 
Please visit the appropriate department page on the City website for a list of phone numbers and email addresses to accommodate your needs:
 
City Manager
City Clerk
Community Development
Finance
Human Resources
Public Works
Recreation, Parks & Open Space
RPVtv
 
Overall Staff Directory

Resources

Always check with trusted sources for the latest accurate information about novel coronavirus.

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health: publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus
California Department of Public Health: cdph.ca.gov/covid19 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): cdc.gov/COVID19
World Health Organization: who.int/coronavirus
California Governor’s Office: covid19.ca.gov
County of Los Angeles: lacounty.gov/covid19
L.A. County residents can also call 2-1-1
 
Sign up for “Notify Me” city listervs at rpvca.gov/notify
Be sure to also follow the City on Nextdoor, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 
 
Sign up for emergency alerts from Alert SouthBay by:

• Texting “alertsb” to 888-777, which returns a link to register for Everbridge (for COVID-19-related alerts, text the keyword "cv19rpv")
• Registering online at alertsouthbay.com
• Downloading the free Everbridge app on an iOS or Android device from the App Store or Google Play. Select “Find an organization or subscription” and search “alertsb”

Sign up for emergency alerts from Alert LA County at https://lacounty.gov/emergency/alert-la/ 

The City Council is committed to keeping you informed on this ever-changing situation, and thanks you for your cooperation and support. The City reminds all residents that closures and cancellations announced by the City and other agencies and institutions are being implemented because public health officials advise that social distancing is the best and most effective tool to slow the spread of coronavirus.