City says Hollywood Carnaval should return next year

Independent Staff Report

WEST HOLLYWOOD — The city is reminding the community and the region that the city’s annual Halloween Carnaval has been canceled in accordance with orders from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, which prohibits public gatherings of more than 10 people as the region responds to the coronavirus pandemic.

The city’s Halloween Carnaval was launched in 1987 and is rooted in the foundation of the city’s diverse culture and community. The event has grown year-by-year into an annual gathering of phenomenal costumes, entertainment, culture and self-expression with a myriad of observers, revelers, exhibitionists, and performers.

Additionally, LA County Public Health has issued guidelines for celebrating Halloween and Día de los Muertos, which prohibits carnivals, festivals, live entertainment and haunted house attractions.

In May, the City Council approved the cancellation of all major special events in the city through the end of 2020, including Pride in June, Halloween Carnaval and New Year’s Eve events.

While restaurants in the city will be open for business, customers are encouraged to use pickup and takeout options in order to control crowd size and safeguard social distancing.

As a reminder, the city requires people to wear face coverings in public. Personnel from the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station will monitor compliance and, while the primary focus remains on education and awareness, personnel may issue administrative citations to those refusing to use a face covering. Sheriff’s personnel will hand out face coverings as part of requesting compliance to people who do not have them.

The city’s fee schedule for an administrative citation includes a minimum violation of $250 plus an administrative fee of $50 for a total of $300 on first violation.

In addition, the city’s code compliance division provides oversight of business compliance and code enforcement officers may issue administrative citations to businesses that are not in compliance with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health orders and protocols.

City officials are urging community members to stay home and stay safe this Halloween.

“The fewer people you and your household have in-person contact with, the lower your risk of getting COVID-19,” they said in a statement.

The city looks forward to celebrating Halloween Carnaval in the future when activities for public gatherings are permitted by the county Department of Public Health.