City of Long Beach issued the following announcement on Dec 29.
The City of Long Beach, as part the Public Health Alliance of Southern California, which also includes Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County and six other health jurisdictions, is issuing an urgent holiday message for the public to stay home and stay safe over New Year’s weekend. While the distribution of the vaccine is a very positive development, the next few weeks and months are critical. With record-breaking numbers of cases, deaths and hospitalizations each day, health systems throughout the region are overwhelmed.
In order to slow the spread of COVID-19 during this extraordinary surge in cases, the community must follow effective, fact-based public health measures including: adhering to the Safer at Home Health Order, wearing face coverings, washing hands, practicing physical distancing and traveling only when essential. Many people are spreading the virus without knowing it — more than 50% of exposures come from people who do not have symptoms.
People should stay home except as necessary to conduct essential activities. Gatherings of individuals from different households pose a significant risk of virus transmission to the community. When out to conduct essential activities, people should maintain at least a six-foot distance from other individuals not in the same household; wear a face covering that covers both the nose and mouth; wash hands frequently; and sanitize high-touch surfaces.
While staying home is critical this holiday season to slow the spread of COVID-19 and save lives, the City encourages people to find alternative ways to engage with others and celebrate safely such as connecting with family and friends virtually; hosting a New Year’s Eve party over video; spending more time on phone calls this year; sharing photos and videos of your holiday on a group chat; and participating in a gratitude activity.
The virus is spreading throughout all regions of California, and everybody has a personal and collective responsibility to slow the spread of the pandemic and eliminate the virus as quickly as possible so we can all have a brighter and healthier 2021.
For additional information and holiday safety tips, view the City’s Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Guidance for Celebrating the Holidays.
For the latest information on COVID-19, with details on all that the City of Long Beach is doing to keep its residents safe, visit longbeach.gov/COVID19 and follow @LongBeachCity on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Original source can be found here.
Alerts Sign-up