Independent Staff Report
WEST HOLLYWOOD — The city is informing residents that the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has issued a revised health officer order aligning the county with guidelines from the state regarding the coronavirus pandemic.
The revised order encourages people to exercise caution and good judgment as physical distancing requirements and capacity limitations are removed. Almost all sectors and businesses are now able to return to usual operations with certain exceptions.
“I’m thrilled to be able to say to West Hollywood’s residents, businesses and visitors that we can take this impactful next step in reopening and getting back to normal,” Mayor Lindsey P. Horvath said. “The pandemic showed all of us what it looks like when our businesses are shuttered and our streets are empty. It’s amazing, once again, to see and experience our city’s businesses, restaurants, bars and streets brimming with people.
“I’m happy to report, as well, that the latest numbers from the county Public Health Department show that 70% of our residents are vaccinated. This is great news all around,” Horvath added.
The city has been in a state of local emergency since March 16, 2020. Due to this, City Hall and many other public buildings and facilities have been closed to in-person transactions and services were transitioned to a virtual environment to safeguard community health and safety.
With the revised public health order, the city is implementing plans to reopen in-person services at City Hall in July. Details will be forthcoming on the city’s website www.weho.org. Until then, the city remains fully accessible by phone (323) 848-6400 and via the city’s website.
Under the latest county guidelines events with more than 5,000 people indoors or 10,000 people outdoors are considered higher risk for COVID-19 transmission. Mega-events are required to verify either full vaccination status or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours pre-entry for all attendees.
Participants must also follow the state’s mask guidance at these events. For outdoor mega-events, the same guidance on verifying the vaccination or test status of attendees is offered as a strong recommendation rather than a requirement and attendees who do not verify their status will need to wear masks.
Under the latest state guidelines, masks are not required for fully vaccinated individuals, except on public transit (including airplanes, ships, trains, subways, buses, taxis and ride shares) and in transportation hubs (such as airports, bus terminals, marinas, train stations, seaports or other ports, subway stations, or any other areas that provide transportation).
Masks also are required indoors at schools, child care facilities and other youth settings; in health care settings including long-term care facilities, doctor’s offices, hospitals and health centers; in state and local correctional facilities and detention centers; and in homeless shelters, emergency shelters and cooling centers.
Additionally, masks are required for unvaccinated individuals in indoor public settings and businesses (such as retail stores, restaurants, theaters, family entertainment centers, meetings and state and local government offices serving the public).
It’s amazing, once again, to see and experience our city’s businesses, restaurants, bars and streets brimming with people.
— West Hollywood Mayor Lindsey Horvath
