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

Cases

As of March 31, there are 3,011 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, also known as physical distancing. The total includes 13 cases in Rancho Palos Verdes and 14 in Palos Verdes Estates. Countywide, 54 people have died. To date, the City is aware of the death of one resident who contracted the novel coronavirus. We extend our deepest condolences to the resident’s family and ask for their privacy to be respected during this difficult time.

For a list of cases broken down by city and age group, visit: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/locations.htm

It’s 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.

It’s Takeout Tuesday!

The community is encouraged to join in the “Takeout Tuesdays and Takeout Thursdays” initiative launched by the Peninsula cities and the PVP Chamber of Commerce by posting on social media and inviting friends and neighbors to order takeout, using Tuesdays and Thursdays as a special reminder.

Residents are asked to show their support by ordering takeout or delivery, not only on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but on a regular basis throughout the coronavirus restrictions. Check the Open for Business page on the City website for a list of local restaurants offering takeout, delivery and curbside pickup.

April 1 is Census Day

Tomorrow, April 1, is Census Day, the reference day used for the 2020 Census. When completing the census, you will include everyone living in your home on April 1. If you haven’t done so already, take a few minutes to complete your census by mail, by phone at 844-330-2020 or online at 2020census.gov

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the U.S. Census Bureau has modified all of its data collection protocols to eliminate personal visits. The Census Bureau is suspending 2020 Census field operations for two additional weeks to April 15. The Census Bureau is taking this step to help protect the health and safety of the American public. Where feasible, census field workers will call survey participants and seek to collect the necessary information over the phone.

For information on how to identify a call from the Census Bureau, visit https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/surveyhelp/verify-a-survey.html#par_textimage_404380185

PVPUSD Closure Extended through April 30

Following President Trump’s extension of social distancing guidelines through April 30 and a recommendation from the Los Angeles County Office of Education for districts to remain closed through May 5, the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District will extend its school site closure through April 30. Moving forward, the District will continue to reevaluate this situation and any new developments that may impact efforts to reopen its schools. To read the full announcement, visit: https://www.pvpusd.net/apps/news/article/1200499

New Guidelines to Help Restaurants Sell Produce, Unprepared Food

Today, Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn directed the Department of Public Health to issue new guidelines that will allow restaurants to sell unprepared food and operate safely during the COVID-19 crisis.

Under the “Safer at Home” Public Health Officer Order, restaurants in L.A. County have been ordered to stop all dine-in operations to slow the spread of COVID-19. While restaurants can deliver food or do take out, many restaurants have opened their doors as pop-up markets as a way to keep their businesses operating and meet the needs of local residents. However, this week the Department of Public Health has ordered many of these pop-up markets operating in restaurants to close, because they do not have permits under state law to operate as grocery stores.

Supervisor Hahn read in an urgency motion directing the LA County Department of Public Health to issue guidelines to allow restaurants to sell additional food items not normally served at restaurants, like whole uncut produce, eggs, uncooked meat, etc. as a part of their delivery, take-out, or curbside pickup operations.

During today’s virtual Board of Supervisors meeting, Supervisor Hahn read in an urgency motion directing the Department of Public Health to develop and issue guidelines for restaurants that allow them to safely offer additional items for delivery or take out, (like whole uncut produce), within the confines of state law, licensing requirements, and existing permits, and in coordination with all social distancing and public health directives. Because this is an urgency motion, it was voted on immediately and passed unanimously.

‘Stay Home. Save Lives. Check In.’ Campaign

Today, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the “Stay Home. Save Lives. Check In.” campaign urging Californians to help combat social isolation and food insecurity among Californians who are over the age of 65 – a community that is uniquely vulnerable to COVID-19.

During California’s stay at home order, older Californians may need friends and neighbors to help them obtain basic necessities like groceries and prescriptions. The campaign urges all Californians to check in on their older neighbors with a call, text or physically-distanced door knock to make sure they’re ok. In addition, the state is urging local non-profits and faith-based organizations to call to check in on all of the older Californians in their networks.

Governor Newsom also announced the creation of a statewide hotline -- 833-544-2374 -- in coordination with the non-profit local 2-1-1 systems, so that Californians have a one-stop shop to answer their questions and get assistance during this crisis. For example, the 2-1-1 system is able to help older Californians access grocery and medication delivery while staying at home.

The state, in partnership with AARP, will also send a mailer to older residents, 65 and older, with useful resources and information to help adapt to the stay at home order.
Read the full announcement at: https://www.gov.ca.gov/2020/03/31/governor-newsom-launches-campaign-to-protect-health-and-well-being-of-older-californians-during-covid-19-pandemic/

Coastal Development Permit Waiver Request

Today, the City submitted a letter to the California Coastal Commission requesting a waiver of the requirement to obtain a Coastal Development Permit for the installation of fencing, blockades and signs for COVID-19 related closures and parking restrictions in the City’s Coastal Zone. In addition to all City parks, beaches, and the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve, all public trails and public parking lots at Terranea Resort and Trump National Golf Club are closed and parking restrictions in public streets within the Coastal Zone are being observed.

The waiver is requested on the basis that immediate action was necessary for the purpose of protecting public health from imminent danger in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, and is in accordance with the City Council’s March 17 proclamation of a local emergency.

Read the letter at http://rpvca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/15685/City-of-Rancho-Palos-Verdes_Park--Preserve-Closures_Coastal-Commission-Letter

Reminder: Parks, Beaches and Nature Preserve CLOSED

To slow the spread of COVID-19, the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve, all City parks, beaches, community centers, amenities and trails are CLOSED until further notice. All park buildings, playgrounds, parking lots, restrooms, game courts, and fields are closed. All park programming has been canceled until further notice. This includes all recreational activities, indoor and outdoor sports leagues, instructional courses, and group sessions/private events.

For a full list of closures, read a press release at: bit.ly/2UexWwo

County Beaches and Hiking Trails CLOSED

On March 27, county officials revised the “Safer at Home” Public Health Officer Order to close all public beaches, trails, trailheads, piers, public beach parking lots, bike paths on the beach, and beach access points countywide through at least April 19. The closures are due to recent dramatic increases in COVID-19 cases and increased usage of beaches and hiking trails by many groups of people. Persons may continue to use currently open and publicly available park space, not prohibited by the order, for passive recreational activities, but must practice social distancing.

Please note that parks, beaches and open space areas in Rancho Palos Verdes, including the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve, are CLOSED. Deane Dana Friendship Park and the South Coast Botanic Garden are partially closed.

To read the order addendum, visit http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/HOO_BeachesandTrails_3.27.20_FINAL.pdf

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

Personal Protective Equipment Needed

Want to help our nurses, doctors and health care workers? If you want to donate/know of businesses that may be able to help with personal protective equipment, such as surgical masks, N95 face masks, face shields and other supplies, email medsupply@dhs.lacounty.gov

To find out how you can support local hospitals, visit the How You Can Help page on the City’s coronavirus webpage.

Local Volunteer Match

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

For 28 years, residents and Block Captains have worked together through RPV Neighborhood Watch to build safe and cohesive neighborhoods. Working cooperatively between neighbors and law enforcement has resulted in supportive neighbors who help each other when necessary. Those residents or blocks who are not yet a part of Neighborhood Watch can contact Gail Lorenzen at rpvnw@ix.netcom.com.

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.

California Health Corps

Health care professionals with an active license, public health professionals, medical retirees, medical and nursing students, or members of medical disaster response teams in California are all encouraged to join the new California Health Corps.
Interested medical and health care professionals are encouraged to visit healthcorps.ca.gov for more information and to register for the California Health Corps.

Medical doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists, behavioral health scientists, pharmacists, EMTs, medical and administrative assistants, as well as certified nursing assistants are encouraged to step up and meet this moment to help California respond to the outbreak.

Make a Donation

Los Angeles County officials encourage members of the public who want to help those in the community experiencing hardships to make monetary contributions to reputable non-profit organizations or to the funds listed below, which are supporting COVID-19 disaster efforts.

Support the California Community Foundation’s Covid-19 LA County Response Fund

The California Community Foundation launched the COVID-19 LA County Response Fund, which supports community needs identified by our partners in health, housing, education and immigration.

Support the United Way’s Pandemic Relief Fund

United Way of Greater Los Angeles’ Pandemic Relief Fund supports L.A. County’s unsheltered residents who are especially vulnerable to the coronavirus, and low-income individuals, students and families at imminent risk of homelessness and hardships due to health and economic impacts of coronavirus.

Support other nonprofits

Philanthropy California’s disaster resilience team is coordinating with state agencies and partners to respond to the impacts of COVID-19/Coronavirus. You can search for Los Angeles County non-profits through this site.

American Red Cross

Give a financial gift or lifesaving blood.

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
FEMA Coronavirus Rumor Control: https://www.fema.gov/Coronavirus-Rumor-Control

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.