Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

June 30, 2020 at 4:06 AM

Long Beach & LA County Close Beaches This Weekend

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- The City announced today that, in alignment with Los Angeles County, Long Beach beaches will be closed to the public this Fourth of July weekend starting Friday, July 3 in the morning through Monday, July 6 in the morning in a proactive effort to limit t…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

June 29, 2020 at 12:53 AM

Governor Closes Bars in LA County

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- Today, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the mandatory closure of all bars in Los Angeles County in order to limit the spread of COVID-19. The governor cited the social nature of bars and the challenges of contact tracing among bar-goes, among t…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

June 26, 2020 at 9:57 PM

How to Report Fireworks in Long Beach

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- The City is encouraging everyone to safely enjoy the 4th of July holiday, and takes seriously the job of enforcing the Long Beach Fireworks Ordinance. All fireworks, including those labeled Safe and Sane, are prohibited in the City of Long Beach.  Firewo…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

June 24, 2020 at 7:34 PM

Long Beach Wins Case Against Monsanto

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- Long Beach is proud to announce we have decisively won a class action settlement along with 12 partner cities and agencies against the Monsanto Chemical Company, worth $550 million. We entered this lawsuit to take on a corporate giant which has contamina…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

June 19, 2020 at 3:53 AM

Safely Reopening Bars and Nail Salons

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- Long Beach will begin slowly reopening bars and nail salons with distancing and safety protocols this weekend. All other personal grooming/care services like massages, facials, lashes, and tattoo parlors can open next Friday, June 26th. Hospitalizations …

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

June 17, 2020 at 9:37 PM

Summer Park & Youth Camp Programs

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- Our Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) summer youth and teen programs for 2020 will feature greatly reduced fees, lower staff-to camper ratios and enhanced safety protocols. The City’s parks programs provide critical opportunities for families…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

June 16, 2020 at 10:59 PM

COVID-19 Testing for All Expanded

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- All Long Beach residents can now receive COVID-19 testing, regardless of symptoms, at three City-operated testing sites. While testing for non-symptomatic residents has been available, we are expanding the number of locations. Appointment availability wi…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

June 10, 2020 at 11:43 PM

Hotels, Gyms, Museums & More Allowed to Reopen

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- Last week, the Governor announced 12 more sectors of our economy will soon be allowed to reopen. We have been carefully working on revising our health orders and reviewing hospital capacity and data. Today Long Beach is announcing that beginning Friday,…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

June 10, 2020 at 8:01 PM

Long Beach Police Suspend Suspend Use of Carotid Restraint

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- Today, the Long Beach Police Department issued a special order suspending the use of the carotid restraint outlined in our use of force policy. The Police Department already prohibits the use of “choke holds,” which restrict air flow, as a neck restraint…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

June 9, 2020 at 2:22 AM

Support for Affected Small Businesses

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- Today we are proposing a major new fund and initiative to directly support the small businesses that were affected by vandalism and looting on Sunday, May 31. We are committed to ensuring every single business that was impacted receives direct grant assi…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

June 7, 2020 at 8:40 PM

COVID-19 Still Health Emergency

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- This weekend, Long Beach is likely to reach our 100th death from COVID-19. The United States recently passed 100 thousand deaths. It’s a stark and sad reminder that even as important issues around racial justice and safety demand our attention, we are st…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

June 4, 2020 at 9:22 PM

No Curfew in Long Beach Tonight

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- LA County is not doing a countywide curfew tonight and Long Beach is included in that decision. The last few nights have been peaceful and safe for our community. Please know our public safety team is still fully deployed and thank you to the community f…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

June 4, 2020 at 8:32 PM

Statement on Racial Justice and Equity

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- Black leaders, organizers, and students in our community have begun putting together a series of conversations about racial justice and equity and I’m looking forward to participating and listening. I hope you’ll join us as we continue this important wor…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

June 3, 2020 at 11:30 PM

COVID-19 Update

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- As we continue to see civil unrest across the country, and we work to keep our community safe, we must remember we are still in a health crisis. Today Long Beach reopened most of our City-run COVID-19 testing sites with modified hours. It’s critical we …

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

June 3, 2020 at 6:41 PM

Long Beach Curfew Begins At 9pm

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- Tonight, Wednesday June 3rd, all 88 LA County cities, including Long Beach, will be under curfew from 9 pm to 5 am. We understand it’s a huge challenge for many, but it’s a joint regional decision for the safety of our city and our neighbors across the c…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

June 2, 2020 at 7:58 PM

Long Beach Curfew Begins At 6pm

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- All 88 LA County cities, including Long Beach, will be under curfew tonight from 6 pm to 6 am. We understand it’s a huge challenge for many, but it’s a joint regional decision for the safety of our city and our neighbors across the county. Last night was…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

June 2, 2020 at 4:03 AM

Tonight's Update

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- I want to take a moment to thank our police and fire departments for their amazing work in the last 48 hours. Tonight has been calm so far, thanks to your support, the community coming together, and our public safety officials. We are out in full force t…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

June 1, 2020 at 8:39 PM

Citywide Curfew Today

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- This morning I joined thousands of our residents cleaning up and repairing our city. To the organizers and those responding with compassion and kindness - Thank you. What began as a peaceful protest yesterday turned violent and dangerous as looters and c…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

May 31, 2020 at 11:03 PM

Citywide Curfew at 8 pm to Ensure Public Safety

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- America with all of our diversity has a dark and long history with race—and Long Beach has not been exempt from this. Over the last several days and after nearly three months of battling COVID-19 as a nation, we are seeing civil unrest and protests. To e…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

May 30, 2020 at 2:20 AM

Restaurants, Barbers and Hair Salons to Open

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- The City of Long Beach will issue a new health order today that allows hair salons and barbers as well as restaurants for in-person dining to slowly reopen provided these businesses follow guidelines designed to protect employees and patrons and control …

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

May 29, 2020 at 6:46 PM

New Meal Program for Older Adults

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- Today we are announcing the launch of a free home meal delivery service for older adults, with meals supplied by Long Beach food providers and restaurants impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the first-in-the-nation program in A…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

May 29, 2020 at 1:02 AM

All Long Beach Residents Can Now Get Tested For COVID-19

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- Starting this weekend, all Long Beach residents, regardless of symptoms, can receive COVID-19 testing at the Cabrillo High School testing location. Expanding testing options is critical as we continue to reopen our economy. It allows us to identify who h…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

May 27, 2020 at 11:23 PM

All Retailers, Offices, and Houses of Worship May Open

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- Today, the City of Long Beach announced that offices, places of worship and in-person retail may reopen, with distancing restrictions. Our mom and pop retailers, boutiques, and places of worship need our support, and they are now allowed to safely reopen…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

May 25, 2020 at 7:28 PM

Remembering Heroes

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- This year, as we recognize Memorial Day and all those who gave their lives in service to our great nation, I want to also thank the families and friends who have stepped up and supported those left behind. America is a strong country because of the incre…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

May 23, 2020 at 1:00 AM

The Data You Need To Know

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- Long Beach began easing into another phase of our "Safer at Home" order two weeks ago. And today, I gave an update on where we are with the data. As I have said many times, the data is what will be driving our decisions and timelines. To recap, the Gove…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

May 20, 2020 at 3:37 AM

Open Streets in Long Beach

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- Tonight, Long Beach moved forward on an Open Streets Initiative that will make it possible to give our local small businesses more support while giving residents more space to physically distance.  The Open Streets Initiative that was approved this eveni…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

May 18, 2020 at 6:00 PM

New Meal Program & How To Participate If You Own A Restaurant

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- The City of Long Beach has announced it will offer a second free home meal delivery service for older adults in an effort to further assist adults at high risk of COVID-19 and to provide essential economic stimulus to local eateries during the health cri…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

May 18, 2020 at 4:09 PM

Opening Streets to Help Business and Recreation

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and we know they are struggling and need support. We’ve been listening to what residents and business owners want and need and one concern that comes up over and over is space to physically distance. On Tu…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

May 14, 2020 at 8:19 PM

Facts You Need To Know

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- I’m grateful today to the community who is working hard to keep our hospitalizations flat and our reopening plan safe. There’s also some misinformation and questions the city is receiving which I’m going to clarify. Facts and truth in a pandemic are crit…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

May 12, 2020 at 11:16 PM

Beaches to Open for Active Recreation

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- As we announced yesterday, the City is adjusting our outdoor recreation guidelines and will reopen public beaches in Long Beach for active recreational activities only - beginning Wednesday, May 13. This aligns with the rest of Los Angeles County and fol…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

May 11, 2020 at 5:31 PM

Some Outdoor Recreation Opens Today

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- Starting today, the City of Long Beach is implementing new guidelines for the use of beach bike and pedestrian paths and tennis courts in parks to reopen. We know our community has been anxious to get back outdoors. While our beaches are still closed, we…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

May 9, 2020 at 9:20 PM

For All the Mothers this Weekend

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- This weekend begins our gradual reopening in Long Beach. Mother’s Day weekend is a great time to start this new chapter and even if we can’t all be with our mothers, I know Long Beach can have a great Mother’s Day. Let’s make this weekend really special …

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

May 8, 2020 at 11:07 PM

An Update on Long Beach Schools

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- The following is a message from the Long Beach Unified School District: The Long Beach Unified School District continues to partner with the Los Angeles County Office of Education, the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services, and other region…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

May 8, 2020 at 2:49 PM

Long Beach's New Health Order

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- Effective today, Friday, May 8, 2020, the City of Long Beach will allow retail businesses, with modified operations and proper sanitizing and physical distancing protocols in place, to reopen for curbside pickup and delivery services only. This comes af…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

May 7, 2020 at 1:48 AM

First Step Towards Safely Reopening Starts Friday

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- Starting this Friday, Long Beach and cities in our region will begin transitioning into the next phase of our "Safer at Home" order. We will do this slowly, gradually, and closely monitor data along the way. The Governor has outlined four stages of reop…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

May 6, 2020 at 3:54 AM

The Data You Need To Know

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- Long Beach and most cities will begin easing into the next phase of our "Safer at Home" order in the days and weeks ahead. The Governor announced that as early as this Friday, counties and health departments can begin relaxing our guidelines and has prov…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

May 5, 2020 at 5:00 AM

Governor’s Reopening Plan and What it Means for Long Beach

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- From the start of this health crisis, we promised you we would be guided by the best medical advice and data. We have listened to experts and have forged strong partnerships with the state and neighboring cities. We have not rushed and have worked hard t…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

May 1, 2020 at 4:13 PM

Join us today for a Virtual Town Hall w/ Congressman Lowenthal

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- Congressman Alan Lowenthal and I will be answering your questions about Long Beach, COVID-19, and our federal response to this national health crisis. The Virtual Town Hall will be hosted and moderated by the Long Beach Post at 1 PM PST at LBPost.com an…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

April 30, 2020 at 2:39 AM

Testing is Now Available for All Essential Workers in Long Beach

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- Are you a frontline worker? Beginning tomorrow, you can get tested for COVID-19 in Long Beach for free. Whether you have coronavirus symptoms or not, frontline workers can now get tested if you are concerned you have potentially been exposed to COVID-19.…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

April 29, 2020 at 1:26 AM

We Need Your Input To Reopen Long Beach

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- Today, the City of Long Beach launched an online survey, ReopenLB, to seek input from residents, workers and business owners about how to safely reopen the local economy once Governor Newsom’s order indicates it is safe to do so. We believe we are weeks,…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

April 28, 2020 at 2:49 AM

Testing to expand to Long Beach City College Main Campus

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- The City of Long Beach is expanding testing options beyond our four current drive-through locations. We are adding two new testing locations, including at Long Beach City College’s Liberal Arts Campus in East Long Beach and a soon to be announced locatio…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

April 25, 2020 at 12:56 AM

Stay Home & Save Lives This Weekend

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- I know it's a beautiful weekend, with the warm sun shining down on us. I know we're all tired of being inside. But I need to ask all of you to please continue staying home. You are saving lives. The beaches and parks remain closed, including the beach pe…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

April 23, 2020 at 5:48 PM

Virgin Orbit Ventilators Ready To Ship

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- We are excited that the ventilators being manufactured right here in Long Beach by Virgin Orbit, have received FDA approval and are now being produced. These innovative units will begin shipping to hospitals here locally and across the country. Thank yo…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

April 22, 2020 at 10:25 PM

An Update on COVID-19 in Long Beach

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- We are saddened today to report Long Beach has lost a total of 27 residents to COVID-19. Our continued love and prayers go out to their families and friends. These losses bring into focus the importance of our Safer at Home order and that we have to do a…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

April 22, 2020 at 7:50 PM

50 Years of Earth Day

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- Today is Earth Day and I know many of us are feeling a little disappointed we won’t be able to celebrate as we normally would. I know we’d like to be outside, with our friends, family and community, and maybe spend some time hiking, or at the beach, enjo…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

April 22, 2020 at 12:37 AM

Economic Recovery Advisory Group

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- Today, the City of Long Beach announced the formation of an Economic Recovery Advisory Group charged with providing recommendations on the economic impact of the COVID-19 health emergency. I want to thank Mayor Bob Foster for stepping up to chair the adv…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

April 20, 2020 at 12:27 AM

Fire Department Activates New COVID-19 Team

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- The Long Beach Fire Department has implemented a newly created Mobile Assessment Team (MAT) specifically assigned to transport individuals with confirmed positive results or positive screenings of COVID-19, in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19 to…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

April 18, 2020 at 10:35 PM

New Data Dashboard

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- We revamped our COVID-19 website with increased functionality and innovative features, including a data dashboard, to offer ease of accessibility, more data transparency and enhance the overall user experience.  We need to be transparent and release as m…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

April 18, 2020 at 12:06 AM

We’ve Expanded Drive-Thru Testing

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- We are more than tripling our drive-thru testing capacity starting tomorrow and can now do more than 500 tests daily at the following locations: - Long Beach City College, Pacific Coast Campus - Jordan High School - Cabrillo High School - St. Mary Medica…

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia

  Mayor Robert Garcia · [email protected]

April 17, 2020 at 1:15 AM

Long Beach Resources for Older Adults

NationBuilder Dear Friend -- We are working hard to make sure our seniors have the resources and care they need to get through this health crisis. I’m especially excited about our partnership with World Central Kitchen. Long Beach has seen a disproportionate impact on older adults …

See More from Mayor Robert Garcia