The City of West Hollywood is making every effort to respond to community needs during the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency and keeping the health and safety of people in West Hollywood as its first priority. Paul Arevalo, the City of West Hollywood City Manager and Director of Emergency Services, issued a ninth Emergency Executive Order (2020-9) on Thursday, July 23, 2020 Implementing Emergency Measures to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19.
The latest Emergency Executive Order establishes the closure of West Hollywood Park and Plummer Park following numerous reports by City staff and the West Hollywood Station of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department that visitors to these City parks have been observed not complying with park rules adopted to curb the spread of COVID-19. Approximately 50 percent of park users in recent days have failed to comply with the City’s face covering requirements and social (physical) distancing protocols and have altered and/or destroyed protective barriers intended to keep playgrounds closed. The Order is aimed at safeguarding the health and safety of community members.
All City of West Hollywood parks were first closed by Emergency Executive Order 2020-2 on Thursday, April 9, 2020 to protect the health and safety of community members. As the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health eased restrictions through revised Health Officer Orders, the City of West Hollywood issued Emergency Executive Order 2020-7 on Monday, June 15, 2020 lifting the closure of City of West Hollywood parks. However, according to LA County Public Health, there has been a sharp increase in new COVID-19 positivity rates and hospitalizations, and simultaneously, approximately half of West Hollywood Park and Plummer Park visitors have continued to disregard health and safety protocols, despite signage, education, and enforcement efforts.
Community members are urged to take personal responsibility in following face covering and social distancing requirements in order to keep themselves and others safe. More than 55 percent of LA County COVID-19 cases are now among individuals under the age of 40. While cases in this age range have thus far shown to have a generally lower risk of serious illness or death, LA County Public Health is expressing concern that people in this group may unknowingly infect parents, grandparents, and friends and family who have underlying health conditions and who are at greater risk for serious illness and death.
The City of West Hollywood has had a mandatory face covering requirement in effect since Saturday, May 23, 2020.
Neighborhood parks and dog parks at West Hollywood Park and William S. Hart Dog Park remain open, subject to park users’ compliance with face covering and social distancing requirements. Park patrons are subject to Administrative Citation for not voluntarily using face coverings. Additionally, tennis courts at West Hollywood Park and Plummer Park will remain open at this time. As with dog parks, City staff and Sheriff’s personnel will closely monitor adherence to requirements. Tennis players not adhering to health and safety protocols are subject to Administrative Citation as well as a one-year suspension of iTennis membership and court reservation privileges.
The City of West Hollywood coronavirus updates are available at www.weho.org/coronavirus
