JULY 2, 2020 - COVID-19 Safety Measures: All Beaches in Los Angeles County Will be Closed Over July 4th Weekend to Prevent Crowding. All Public and Private Fireworks Prohibited. Bars, Indoor Dining Are Closed. Mandatory Use of Face Coverings While in Public Statewide.

With the sharp increase in COVID-19 cases, deaths and hospitalizations in Los Angeles County and the State of California, closures and safety measures have been ordered by the County and State to slow the spread of coronavirus, protect vulnerable people including seniors and people with health conditions, and ensure that the healthcare system does not get overwhelmed. Safety measures include beach closures and prohibition of fireworks countywide over the July 4th weekend. 

“I know it is difficult to not be able to celebrate holidays like 4th of July and the summer season by enjoying our beautiful beaches, but health and safety come first, and the coronavirus continues to kill and hospitalize thousands of Americans,” Mayor Karen Farrer said. “I urge everyone, wherever they live, to stay safer at home this holiday weekend, continue to practice physical distancing and especially to wear face coverings at all times while outside your home." 

The County Order still prohibits all public and private gatherings with anyone other than members of the same household, so please do not plan picnics, BBQs, parties or other events in parks or other public places, or in private homes over the holiday weekend. 

For County COVID-19 statistics, see the press release

COUNTYWIDE BEACH CLOSURE OVER JULY 4 HOLIDAY WEEKEND

The County of Los Angeles ordered the full closure of all beaches, beach parking lots, bike paths, piers and accessways countywide, including in the City of Malibu, Friday, July 3, 12:01 AM through Monday, July 6 at 5:00 AM in order to prevent crowding over the holiday weekend. The full closure means that surfing, walking, jogging, kayaking, paddle-boarding or any other recreational activities or gatherings are prohibited at any state or county beach. The revised order also prohibits all private and public fireworks countywide, until further notice. For more information, see the County press release. 

ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE FIREWORKS ARE PROHIBITED IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY

The County prohibited any public or private fireworks displays in its Order to close the beaches over July 4th weekend. The City of Malibu joins the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Los Angeles County Fire Department in urging the public not to use dangerous, illegal fireworks to celebrate July 4th or any other event. All consumer fireworks are illegal in Los Angeles County. With many public fireworks events being cancelled, including in Malibu, illegal fireworks have been seen and heard constantly for weeks. Every year, illegal fireworks cause thousands of injuries and fires and millions of dollars in property damages, and could cause wildfires that could threaten all of Malibu. For more information, see the County press release. 

INDOOR DINING AND OTHER INDOOR ACTIVITIES ORDERED CLOSED

Los Angeles County Health modified its Health Officer Order on July 1 to align with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s directives and require the closure of indoor, in-person dining at restaurants, indoor museums, indoor children’s museums, and indoor operations at zoos and aquariums, cardrooms and satellite wagering facilities. For more information, see the press release.

BARS ORDERED CLOSED

As a result of the increase in COVID-19 numbers, on June 28 Los Angeles County followed California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s directive and ordered bars, bars in restaurants, breweries, brew pubs, pubs, wineries and tasting rooms countywide (including in Malibu) to close unless they offer sit-down dine-in meals. See the press release.

CA GOVERNOR ORDER REQUIRES WEARING FACE COVERINGS WHILE IN PUBLIC STATEWIDE

Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order on June 18 requiring all Californians to wear face coverings at all times while outside the home, when it is not possible to maintain 6 ft. of physical distancing from other people, in order to slow the spread of coronavirus as the statewide COVID-19 numbers increase sharply. To see the list of exemptions and other details, see the order.

MEASURES TO ADDRESS JULY 4 HOLIDAY BEACH CROWDING IN MALIBU

Malibu City Manager Reva Feldman coordinated with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, LA County Department of Public Health, LA County Beaches and Harbors and California State Parks to close beach parking lots, ramp up Sheriff’s patrols on PCH and canyon roads and enforce temporary no-parking restrictions on PCH to keep Malibu safe over the holiday weekend. The City Manager requested additional patrols and parking enforcement by Sheriff’s Deputies and the Sheriff’s Volunteers on Patrol (VOPs). The City Public Works Department is coordinating placing changeable message signs at key locations on PCH and canyon roads to announce that all beaches are closed and all fireworks are prohibited. Deputies with the Malibu/Lost Hills Station Summer Beach Team will be patrolling the beaches throughout the weekend and late into the evenings.  The City is conducting widespread outreach about the holiday beach closures using the City’s website, e-notifications, social media, press releases, radio and video public service announcements (PSAs).  

For more coronavirus public health and safety information, statistics, and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) visit http://publichealth.lacounty.gov. 

For ongoing information about beach openings and closures, visit Los Angeles County Beaches and Harbors https://beaches.lacounty.gov.