Health Advisory/Visitor Safety: COVID-19
LAGUNA BEACH INFORMATION AND RESPONSE TO COVID-19, updated daily
As COVID-19 continues to evolve, Visit Laguna Beach is committed to keeping you informed with the latest developments. The safety, health and wellbeing of our community, its residents and visitors, is of utmost importance and we are committed to doing everything we can to support and respond to the situation.
This page is updated daily as the situation continues to develop.
Orange County Moves to Orange Tier
(as of March 31, 2021)
May re-open for indoor dining with modifications
Capacity must be limited to 50% or 200 people, whichever is less
Fitness centers can open to 25% capacity;
Indoor pools can open
Indoor hot tubs, saunas, and steam rooms remain closed
May re-open indoors with modifications
Indoor activities must be limited to 50% of capacity or 200 people, whichever is less
May re-open with modifications
Wineries & Bars (where meals are not served):
indoor dining at 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer
May re-open indoors with modifications
Personal Care Services (nail salons, body waxing, tattoo parlors, piercing studios, skin care & cosmetology, and massage services)
May re-open indoors with modifications
May re-open indoors with modifications
Capacity must be limited to 25%
Indoor pools can open; hot tubs, saunas and steam rooms remain closed
May re-open outdoor only with modifications for activities such as go-kart racing, mini golf, and batting cages
May re-open indoors with modifications
Indoor activities must be limited to 50% of capacity
Amusement Parks
May open with modifications as of April 1, 2021
Under current guidelines, certain businesses must remain closed. Those sectors that remain closed are as follows:
Live Theater
Concert Venues
Festivals
Nightclubs
Offices for non-critical sectors
Face Coverings Required
Governor Newsom and the California Department of Public Health announced that facemasks will be required in the State of California. CDPH's updated guidance mandates that face coverings be worn statewide.
CDC Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People
For the purposes of this guidance, people are considered fully vaccinated for COVID-19 ≥2 weeks after they have received the second dose in a 2-dose series (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna), or ≥2 weeks after they have received a single-dose vaccine (Johnson and Johnson [J&J]/Janssen ).
The following recommendations apply to non-healthcare settings.
Fully vaccinated people can:
- Visit with other fully vaccinated people indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing.
- Visit with unvaccinated people from a single household who are at low risk for severe COVID-19 disease indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing.
- Refrain from quarantine and testing following a known exposure if asymptomatic.
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Face Coverings Required When:
1. Inside of, or in line to enter, any indoor public space;
2. Obtaining services from the healthcare sector in settings including, but not limited to, a hospital, pharmacy, medical clinic, laboratory, physician or dental office, veterinary clinic, or blood bank;
3. Waiting for, riding, driving or operating any public transportation or paratransit vehicle, taxi, or private car service or ride-sharing vehicle when passengers are present. When no passengers are present, face coverings are strongly recommended.
4. Engaged in work, whether at the workplace or performing work off-site, when:
- Interacting in-person with any member of the public;
- Working in any space visited by members of the public, regardless of whether anyone from the public is present at the time;
- Working in any space where food is prepared or packaged for sale or distribution to others;
- Working in or walking through common areas, such as hallways, stairways, elevators, and parking facilities;
- In any room or enclosed area where other people (except for members of the person’s own household or residence) are present when unable to physically distance.
5. While outdoors in public spaces when maintaining a physical distance of 6 feet from persons who are not members of the same household or residence is not feasible.
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These Individuals are Exempt From Wearing Face Coverings:
1. Persons age two years or under. These very young children must not wear a face covering because of the risk of suffocation.
2. Persons with a medical condition, mental health condition, or disability that prevents wearing a face covering. This includes persons with a medical condition for whom wearing a face covering could obstruct breathing or who are unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove a face covering without assistance.
3. Persons who are hearing impaired, or communicating with a person who is hearing impaired, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication.
4. Persons for whom wearing a face covering would create a risk to the person related to their work, as determined by local, state, or federal regulators or workplace safety guidelines.
5. Persons who are obtaining a service involving the nose or face for which temporary removal of the face covering is necessary to perform the service.
6. Persons who are seated at a restaurant or other establishment that offers food or beverage service, while they are eating or drinking, provided that they are able to maintain a distance of at least six feet away from persons who are not members of the same household or residence.
7. Persons who are engaged in outdoor work or recreation such as swimming, walking, hiking, bicycling, or running, when alone or with household members, and when they are able to maintain a distance of at least six feet from others.
8. Persons who are incarcerated. Prisons and jails, as part of their mitigation plans, will have specific guidance on the wearing of face coverings or masks for both inmates and staff.
In partnership with the City of Laguna Beach and the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce, we have developed a citywide CLEAN.SAFE.READY. pledge program for all Laguna Beach businesses. This is to ensure the safety of our residents and visitors
Open Restaurant and Dining Options
For the most up-to-date information on dining options in Laguna Beach visit our COVID-19 Open Restaurant page. Restaurants may currently open for outdoor dining and 50% indoor dining with modifications. They must also follow the state guidelines for safe operations, including a COVID-19 prevention plan. (As of March 31, 2021)
Safety measures in place at Laguna Beach restaurants, include:
- Face coverings worn by all patrons at all times except when seated and eating or drinking.
- Face coverings worn by all employees and staff at all times
Guidelines for Overnight Stays
Get unlimited fresh air, reinvigorate and relax in the original California beach escape, Laguna Beach. All of our hotels are open, but with reduced capacity and recommended physical distancing measures in place in accordance with official health recommendations and the California Hotel & Lodging Association. (As of March 31, 2021)
Open for Shopping
Our boutiques, retail stores and galleries are open for business. We have worked hard to make sure you feel welcome and safe. All our stores are following the state guidelines for safe operations and are training their employees to on new safe conditions. (March 31, 2021)
Safety measures in place at Laguna Beach retail stores
- Maintain six-foot physical distancing requirements
- Curbside pickup options
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Activity Closures
- The Official Visitors Center (operated by Visit Laguna Beach) is CLOSED until further notice. Email info@visitlagunabeach.com for assistance, visit www.VisitLagunaBeach.com, or message us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @VisitLaguna for further information.
- No Square Theatre – All performances canceled, indefinitely.
- Hoffy Tours: Canceled until further notice.
- Laguna Beach Live!: Concerts are canceled, indefinitely.
- Laguna Playhouse: All performances will be suspended until further notice.
- Laguna Ocean Foundation: Temporarily suspended their tide pool education programs.
- Nix Nature Center: Closed to general public visitation until further notice.
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Closed City Functions and Facilities
- Trolley Service - Resume June 2021
- Concerts-Sunset Serenades and Concerts in the Park until further notice
- BBQ and Fire Pits: Closed
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City Non-Profit Organization Closures
- No Square Theatre – All performances canceled, indefinitely.
- Assistance League of Laguna Beach – Thrift Shop & Chapter House are closed
- Laguna Food Pantry – Open, however shoppers will be given pre-packed bags or boxes of food instead of coming inside to select their food.
- Animal Shelter — Closed to the public, except by appointment. Residents who need to visit the shelter to pick up a recovered pet, schedule the adoption of a pet, or to purchase a dog license, may do so by calling the Animal Shelter at (949) 497-3552 between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Seven days a week.
Open City Functions & Facilities
Social distancing must continue to be practiced among non-family unit beachgoers. Face masks should also still be used if social distancing cannot happen. (As of January 25, 2021)
Beaches are open for regular hours, seven days a week (6am-10pm). Physical distancing required and face masks are highly recommended.
(As of January 25, 2021)
Emergency Services: Police, Fire and Marine Safety services will continue and 9-1-1 will be operating as usual.
City Hall: Open to the public 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. All persons entering City Hall will receive a health screening upon entry and will wear a mask when meeting with another person. Although we are open for drop-in in-person consultations, we are trying to work via telephone and video meetings whenever possible. Physical distancing must be practiced whenever possible. This video will show you what to expect when you arrive at City Hall. For questions please call (949) 497-3311 during regular business hours.
Parks: All city parks are open, but all guests must wear masks. Group gatherings of 10 or less are permitted.
Dog Parks: Open. Dog Parks will close for wet and muddy conditions. The Dog Park in Laguna Canyon is closed every Wednesday and the Dog Play Area in Moulton Meadows every Thursday.
Fire Road: Open for active recreation
Tennis and Pickleball Courts: Open for one-on-one play only. No spectators.
Trailheads and Wilderness Parks: All trailheads and wilderness parks are open. Physical distancing is required and face masks are highly recommended.
Swimming Pool: The Community Pool is open for lap swim on a reservation-only basis. Swimmers will be able to sign up for a 45-minute lap swim reservation once per day and up to three days per week. Reservations.
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Business Resources
California Department of Industrial Relations: Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) – FAQs on laws enforced by the California Labor Commissioner’s Office.
Cal/OSHA Guidance on Requirements to Protect Workers from Coronavirus
County of Orange: COVID-19: County Closures, Cancellations, and Service Modifications
Labor & Workforce Development Agency: COVID-19 Resources for Employers and Workers
Small Business Development Center (SBDC): COVID-19 Response Guide
Jewish Free Loan Association (JFLA): JFLA is offering no-fee and interest-free loans of up to $10,000 to cover: small business losses, lost wages, child-care costs due to canceled travel plans.
Small Business Administration: SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to California Small Businesses Economically Impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources: Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2020 (COVID-19)
SBA Disaster Assistance in Response to the Coronavirus
U.S. Department of Labor: COVID-19 or Other Public Health Emergencies and the Family and Medical Leave Act Questions and Answers
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission: Pandemic Preparedness in the Workplace and the Americans with Disabilities Act