Dear Friend --

To reduce the risk of community spread of COVID-19 and help maintain the safety of residents, the City of Long Beach is announcing the temporary closure of beaches in alignment with the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health order <[link removed]> issued today. Beach, bike, and pedestrian paths will also be closed. The City had previously closed beach playgrounds and parking lots. The following operational changes and continued closure of City facilities are in accordance with the State’s “Stay at Home <[link removed]>”order and the City’s local “Safer at Home <[link removed]>” order and will be effective through May 1, 2020, or until further notice. 

While many have been practicing social distancing and adjusting their daily routines, we continue to see the gathering of groups on our public beaches. It is critical that we continue to take swift action as we work together to do the right thing and address this public health crisis.

In addition to Long Beach beaches, the following City facilities and public spaces will continue to remain closed through May 1:

- Basketball courts
- Tennis courts
- Volleyball courts
- Golf courses
- Dog parks
- Playgrounds
- Skate parks
- Picnic areas
- Beach bike and pedestrian paths
- Recreational trails

During these closures, the public is encouraged to walk, run or bike in their neighborhood while maintaining social distancing guidelines and remaining a six-foot radius from others. 

The following changes to operational activities and services will remain in place through May 1: 

Animal Care Services

- Long Beach Animal Care Services is open by appointment only. For questions, email [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>.
- For adoption services, call 562-570-4925.
- For emergency surrender of sick/injured animals, or to reunite an animal with its owner, call 562-570-7387.
- Animal Control Officers will continue to accommodate the most emergent health and public safety issues in the community. 
- Pet licensing can be done at the shelter by drop box; via mail by sending payment to: 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach, CA 90815; over the phone by calling 562-570-3081; or online at: longbeachanimalcare.com <[link removed]>. 

City Hall & Port Administration Building

- City Hall and the Port Administration Building will be closed to the public.
- Essential City services will continue via phone, email, and online, but in-person services at City Hall will be suspended. 
- City Hall will transition to online services; residents and businesses are encouraged to use online public services.
- In addition to online services, the City will accommodate the lack of in-person services by heavily staffing phone lines.

City Services

- All services requiring in-person visits or public service counter assistance (including licensing and building permits) will be suspended or made available via phone, online or through email. 
- The Development Permit Center will provide modified procedures for plan pickups, plan submittals/permit issuances, and building inspections. Building inspection services will continue. For information, visit: longbeach.gov/lbds/building/ <[link removed]>
- Health facilities are open for essential services; however, the Housing Authority will be closed to in-person visits and services will be provided online or via phone.
- The Long Beach Police Department’s Business Desk at Police Headquarters will remain open, though the City encourages everyone to call 562-435-6711 for non-emergency police assistance and 562-570-7260 for general information and questions regarding filing police reports.
- Jail visitation will be curtailed with the exception of clergy and lawyers.
- All Public Works services will remain in place with the exception of in-person permit submissions, which can be made online at:longbeach.gov/lbds/building/permit-center/online/ <[link removed]>.
- Refuse collection and street sweeping will continue per the usual schedule.
- Energy Resources will provide restoration of gas service to customers currently shut-off for non payment. For more information, visit: longbeach.gov/energyresources <[link removed]>.
- Passport services and civil ceremonies provided by the City Clerk’s office will be suspended.

Libraries

- Public city libraries will be closed.
- While libraries are closed, Long Beach Public Library (LBPL) is relaxing its borrowing policy. 
- All late fees will be suspended and due dates extended during this period. 
- Patron holds for items are also suspended. 
- Patrons may continue to enjoy the items they have already borrowed. 
- Outdoor book drops are closed.


- Library patrons are encouraged to make use of LBPL’s vast collection of digital resources <[link removed]> available 24/7. 
- E-books and e-audiobooks for children and adults, magazines, music and movies are available for free streaming and download. 
- Students also may access free online tutoring and learning resources. 
- Most resources are accessible using your LBPL library card number and PIN. 


- Library staff are available to provide assistance through telephone reference at 562-570-7500, Tuesday through Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

Utilities

- Long Beach Water and Long Beach Energy Resources will continue to temporarily suspend water and natural gas shut-offs for nonpayment. 
- Long Beach Water’s Administration Building (1800 E. Wardlow Rd.) will be closed to the public until May 1, or until further notice. All services requiring in-person visits or service counter assistance will continue to be made available via phone, online or email only. Please visit Long Beach Water's public updates page <[link removed]> for information about the program modifications. For water/sewer emergencies, call 562.570.2390. For the latest information about the Board of Water Commissioner’s modified meetings schedule and agendas, please visit: lbwater.org <[link removed]>.

These changes were put into effect by Acting City Manager Tom Modica with the Emergency Powers granted through the Proclamation of Local Emergency <[link removed]>.

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The City encourages all residents to visit www.longbeach.gov/COVID19 <[link removed]> for up-to-date facts on COVID-19 and to avoid misinformation. You can also follow updates, tips and notices on the City’s social media pages @LongBeachCity and @LBHealthDept and by following hashtag #COVID19LongBeach.



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Robert Garcia - Mayor of Long Beach - 411 W Ocean Blvd 11th Floor, Long Beach, CA 90802, United States
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