Dear Residents,

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

The Latest

RPVtv’s “Around the Peninsula”

In the latest virtual edition of RPVtv’s "Around the Peninsula" co-hosts Liz Brown Swanson and Maria Serrao are joined by a medical team, business leaders and residents on the front line of the COVID-19 pandemic in Rancho Palos Verdes.

Special guests include Dr. Lawrence Sher of Palos Verdes Medical Group, Eileen Hupp, President/CEO of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, RPV resident and Scandia Salon hair stylist Cathy Vilicich, and Tim Aupperle, retail director of the Great American International Seafood Market.

The episode will air daily on RPVtv Cox 33/Frontier FiOS 38 and can be viewed on RPVtv's YouTube channel at youtu.be/7nXL92LJOcI

Cases

As of April 30, there are 23,182 confirmed cases of COVID-19 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 physical distancing. The total includes 59 cases in Rancho Palos Verdes, 37 in Palos Verdes Estates, 13 in Rolling Hills Estates and one in Rolling Hills. Countywide, 1,111 people have died.

According to the Department of Public Health, nine deaths have been reported in Rancho Palos Verdes. The City extends its deepest condolences to the families of these residents.

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

For an interactive dashboard with maps and graphs showing testing, cases and death data by community, poverty level, age, sex and race/ethnicity visit: http://dashboard.publichealth.lacounty.gov/covid19_surveillance_dashboard/

An interactive dashboard of COVID-19 cases in the South Bay maintained by the City of Torrance is available at bit.ly/2XB1fv1. The dashboard reflects information sourced by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

New COVID-19 Testing Eligibility Guidelines

Los Angeles County has updated its guidelines for who is eligible for free, same-day COVID-19 tests. At this time, testing is prioritized for:

Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19. These include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell

All essential workers regardless of symptoms. This includes:
- Health care workers
- First responders
- Social service employees
- Utility workers
- Food supply workers
- Other public employees
People who are either over 65 or have chronic underlying health conditions.
People in institutional congregate living settings, such as skilled nursing or long-term care facilities, homeless shelters, correctional institutions. (Although these groups will not primarily access testing in the County’s drive-up sites.)

It’s Takeout Thursday!

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.

Five Neighborhood Parks Partially Reopened

To provide residents with access to park space during the “Safer at Home” Order, at this time, the City has partially reopened five neighborhood parks on a trial basis. Only turf areas and walking paths are open in the following parks:

Eastview Park (excluding the dog park)
Frank A. Vanderlip Park
Fred Hesse, Jr. Community Park
Ladera Linda Park
Robert E. Ryan Community Park

The City encourages residents to participate in recreational outdoor activity in their neighborhoods. If you visit these parks, please do so responsibly, be mindful of your interactions and wear a face covering. All visitors MUST practice physical distancing, staying 6 feet away from others not in their household. City Staff, Park Rangers and law enforcement are monitoring these areas to ensure compliance with public health directives. Pursuant to the City Council’s March 17 local emergency proclamation, the City may close these areas if rules are not observed by the public and conditions become unsafe.

STILL CLOSED

Parking lots, restrooms, playgrounds, dog parks, basketball and tennis courts, baseball and soccer fields
Beaches, open space areas, the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve, and trails

STILL NOT ALLOWED

Active sports or organized activities
Group gatherings or activities

The City is considering a comprehensive reopening plan of more of its parks and open space area over the next few weeks that is managed and responsible. To that point, the City recognizes the health and well-being of our residents and employees as a top priority, and is committed to keeping them safe. We urge all residents to follow the “Safer at Home” Order and only leave their homes for essential activities. We also urge the public to diligently practice physical distancing, as it is the most effective tool we have to fight this pandemic. We all must do our part to “flatten the curve.”

Supervisor Hahn to Take Your COVID-19 Questions during “Janice Journal Live”

Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn will hold her next "Janice Journal Live" event this Friday, May 1 at 11 a.m. on her Facebook page.

Supervisor Hahn will be discussing COVID-19 testing expansion, beach closures and reopenings, the county's eviction moratorium, and more. If you have a COVID-19 related question, email it to JaniceJournalLive@gmail.com.

Visit Supervisor Hahn’s Facebook page to tune in at facebook.com/supjanicehahn

Assemblymember Muratsuchi Virtual Town Hall for Small Businesses

Are you a small business owner struggling to make ends meet? Do you need help with where to go for assistance? To answer some of these questions, Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi is hosting a virtual town hall meeting this Friday, May 1, at 5:30 p.m.

He will be joined by Larry Johnson, Program Lead Advisor for the Small Business Development Center at El Camino Community College, who will be answering your questions and giving an update on available help for small businesses.

?Visit Assemblymember Muratsuchi's Facebook page to tune in at facebook.com/Muratsuchi

What will it Take to Relax the Safer At Home Order?

L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger says we must meet the following criteria:

The capacity to care for the sick
Protection for the most vulnerable
Increasing our ability to test, isolate and quarantine
The ability to ensure ongoing physical distancing

Free Meditation and Mindfulness Content for L.A. County Residents

The L.A. County Department of Mental Health has partnered with Headspace to offer L.A. County residents free subscriptions to its digital platform for improving mindfulness, relaxation and well-being as a mental health resource during this unprecedented public health crisis.

Headspace's vast library of content includes guided meditations, workout videos and sleep-promoting sounds, all of which can be readily accessed from your computer, tablet or smartphone!

To learn more about Headspace and to sign up for your free subscription, please visit https://www.headspace.com/lacounty

Friendship Line California

Friendship Line California is toll-free and available to provide emotional support to older Californians facing loneliness, isolation and anxiety. Friendship Line can provide a warm voice, a listening ear, and a human connection to those feeling alone throughout California. If you or someone you know needs emotional support, Friendship Line is ready to listen 24/7. Call 1-888-670-1360.

For more information, visit https://www.ioaging.org/friendship-line-california

Need to Talk?

Mental health resources are available to provide compassion and support during this difficult time. Call the L.A. County Department of Mental Health 24/7 ACCESS hotline at 800-854-7771, text “LA” to 741741, or visit the Department of Mental Health’s COVID-19 resources page at https://dmh.lacounty.gov/covid-19-information/

Governor Newsom Announces New Online Portal to Help Parents Find Local and Convenient Child Care Options

Governor Gavin Newsom today announced a new portal to help parents, including essential workers and vulnerable families, find safe, reliable and accessible child care options.

The new portal is available at covid19.ca.gov/childcare and enables parents to enter their location and the type of care they need, instantly receiving a list of local center-based and family child care programs. The list of open licensed child care programs will include health and safety information, age of children accepted, capacity, availability, hours, and contact information for the program and local Child Care Resource and Referral agency. The Child Care Resource and Referral agencies can answer general questions, including those about child care subsidies.

Read the full announcement at https://www.gov.ca.gov/2020/04/30/governor-newsom-announces-new-online-portal-to-help-parents-find-local-and-convenient-child-care-options/

Marriage Licenses Now Obtainable via Videoconference

Also today, Governor Newsom signed an executive order that will allow adults to obtain marriage licenses via videoconferencing rather than in person amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under the executive order, adults will be able to obtain a marriage license, at the discretion of their local county clerk, through videoconferencing, as long as both adults are located within the State of California, are present, and can present identification during the video conference. The license can then be issued via email.

Additionally, adults who wish to be married can conduct a ceremony to solemnize the marriage via videoconference, as long as both parties are present, and have at least one witness who can join the live video conference.

The provisions will be in place for the next 60 days for those who wish to be married during that time.

The text of the Governor’s executive order can be found at https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/4.30.20-EO-N-58-20-text.pdf

Local Volunteer Match

Join PVPUSD School Board Member Linda Reid’s local volunteer match effort during the COVID-19 pandemic. About 40 volunteers have been linked with 100 isolated seniors needing help with grocery shopping and other errands.

If you're a parent, student or graduate of the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District interested in participating in the volunteer match program, or an older resident needing support, contact Member Reid at reidl@pvpusd.net.

Find out more ways to help your community during the COVID-19 crisis by visiting the How You Can Help page on the City’s coronavirus webpage.

Closure Information

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.

City Hall Closed

As a reminder, to reduce the risk of community spread of COVID-19, through at least May 15, 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 the 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 physical distancing is the best and most effective tool to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.