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 April 1, there are 3,518 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 16 cases in Rancho Palos Verdes and 15 in Palos Verdes Estates. Countywide, 66 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.

Alert SouthBay Wants Your COVID-19 Input

The 13 participating Alert SouthBay cities, including Rancho Palos Verdes, want to hear from you about your COVID-19 concerns and what kind of information you need and care about most. Take a moment to fill out a quick survey at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FMLPVKX

Cyber-Seniors Training Opportunities

Cyber-Seniors is a nonprofit organization that works to bridge the digital divide and connect generations through technology. Cyber-Seniors is offering training opportunities to help keep senior citizens socially connected while remaining safe in their homes during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Young people can register for FREE to take the online Cyber-Seniors Mentor Training Program and then volunteer to help a senior connect with loved ones and essential online services. To register and get started, visit https://cyberseniors.org/student-membership/

Seniors can join the following online seminars (using ZOOM) or a one-on-one session (by phone or FaceTime). Instructional links are below to help you learn how to use Zoom.

Video: how to join a Zoom meeting
Video and text (includes joining a test meeting)

If you need more help call Cyber-Seniors at 1-844-217-3057

Group Zoom sessions:

Thursday, April 2, 12:30pm Eastern Time: Prescription refills online Register
Friday, April 3, 12:30pm Eastern Time: Banking online Register

If you prefer a one-on-one session, book one through Cyber-Seniors’ calendly calendar at https://calendly.com/cyberseniors/one-on-one-tech-session?month=2020-04

It’s Census Day

Today 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

Beware of Cybercriminals

According to research from the network security firm Barracuda, there was a 667% increase in the number of coronavirus-related “spear-phishing” attacks since the end of February.

As residents in Los Angeles County practice “Safer at Home” directives, they are spending more time at home and online. Scammers are also taking advantage of this change in circumstances by reaching out door-to-door asking for donations and fundraising contributions through cash, Bitcoin, or Paypal. The County of Los Angeles reminds residents that they are not required to open their doors, and encourages everyone not to feel intimidated by a false sense of urgency to answer door-to-door solicitations.

The following is a list of safety tips the public can follow:

Avoid online advertising offers related to COVID-19
Decline door-to-door solicitations claiming COVID-19 fundraising
Do not click on emails and attachments that you do not recognize
Visit trusted websites for COVID-19 related information

Everyone should remain vigilant and take these steps to avoid being victimized by malicious scammers trying to profit from the COVID-19 crisis. If you believe you have been scammed, contact your bank immediately and report the information to local law enforcement.

Neighbor-to-Neighbor Campaign

In response to COVID-19, California Volunteers, the state office tasked with engaging Californians in service, volunteering and civic action to tackle the state’s most pressing challenges while lifting up all communities, has launched its Neighbor-to-Neighbor campaign. The campaign calls on neighbors to be the first line of support for California’s most vulnerable residents who have been advised to stay at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Neighbor-to-Neighbor campaign is focused on older adults and promotes ways to safely check on your neighbors, family and friends.

Find out how you can help at: https://californiavolunteers.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/116/2020/03/CA-COVID19-Neighbor-Check-ins.pdf

Relief for Small Businesses

On March 30, Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order that will provide tax, regulatory and licensing extensions for businesses.

The executive order allows the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) to offer a 90-day extension for tax returns and tax payments for all businesses filing a return for less than $1 million in taxes. That means small businesses will have until the end of July to file their first-quarter returns.

Additionally, the order extends the statute of limitations to file a claim for refund by 60 days to accommodate tax and fee payers.

The executive order also includes extensions that impact state government workers, as well as consumers. For instance, the Department of Motor Vehicles will limit in-person transactions for the next 60 days, allowing instead for mail-in renewals. Additionally, the Department of Consumer Affairs will waive continuing education requirements for several professions, also for the next 60 days.

Further, the order will extend the Office of Administrative Law’s deadlines to review regular department proposed regulations. The order also extends by 60 days the time period to complete investigation of public safety officers based on allegations of misconduct. Finally, deadlines for trainings, investigations, and adverse actions for state workers will also be extended.

To read the Governor’s executive order, visit https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/3.30.20-N-40-20.pdf

Your RPV City Council is also working on ways to get small businesses financial help and will consider some options at the April 7 meeting. You can watch our live virtual meeting at 7 p.m. streamed on the city website, rpvca.gov, or televised on RPVtv Cox 33/Frontier FiOS 38. Local small business relief programs that the City Council may conside include business license tax (BLT) relief, online fundraising for local businesses, and direct loan programs.

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. 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.