With hot weather coming this weekend, the City of Malibu urges residents of neighboring communities not to travel to Malibu and all local residents to stay safe at home. All beaches, parks, trails and parking areas in the Malibu area remain closed, and temporary no-parking zones are being enforced along Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) during the County and State stay-at-home orders. The County and State stay-at-home orders still prohibit unnecessary travel.
“I want to reassure the residents of Malibu that the City is doing everything possible to urge neighboring communities not to come to Malibu during this warm weather,” Mayor Karen Farrer said. “It is difficult for all of us, in Malibu and elsewhere, to stay home and not be able to enjoy the beaches and mountains that we cherish, but this is a sacrifice that we must make to protect our seniors and vulnerable people from this deadly disease. Please stay safe at home, and enjoy the outdoors in your neighborhood or in your backyard.”
The City is using every communication tool at its disposal to put out widespread messaging to the public including social media, Nextdoor, the City website, posters, flyers, FM radio public service announcements (PSAs), and the City’s emergency alert system (similar to reverse 911), in advance of the weekend.
In addition, on Saturday and Sunday, the City will utilize the Wireless Alert System (WEA), which is similar to Amber Alerts, to send out messages to all cellphones within range of cell towers in Malibu, in order to reach visitors. Changeable message signs will be placed in several locations along PCH warning the public that beaches, lots, trails and parks in Malibu are closed.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, L.A. County Lifeguards, Sheriff’s Volunteers on Patrol (VOP) and the Malibu Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers will be out in Malibu this weekend to help enforce the closures. Violations of the closures could results in citations and fines.
The City of Malibu joins the Los Angeles County Public Health Department in asking County residents to stay safe at home and stay local, and not to visit Ventura County, which started easing some of its stay-at-home restrictions this week.
Ventura County Public Health officials carefully considered relaxing restrictions based on the County’s own COVID-19 status. Those decisions were made based on what would be safe for Ventura County residents, and newly opened sites could become overwhelmed by out-of-area visitors.
This week, during TV briefings on the coronavirus pandemic, L.A. County Department of Public Health Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd.
Barbara Ferrer asked L.A. County residents not to travel to other counties, and that people who do so run the risk of coming into contact with someone who is asymptomatic, getting infected, and then spreading the virus in their own community.
“We know that with the return of beautiful weather we all want to be outside - and it is fine do so – as long as you are not gathering with others. Enjoy a walk or a jog, or sit outside and enjoy the sunshine at your home. Our beaches and trails remain closed as we continue to work together to slow the spread,” Dr. Ferrer said.
L.A. County is regularly reviewing restrictions and will not relax stay-at-home orders until it is safe and sensible for the health of all L.A. County residents.
For more information about the City of Malibu’s coronavirus response, visit MalibuCity.org/coronavirus.
Submitted by Matt Myerhoff, Media Information Officer
