Beachside Metered Parking Closed Starting April 10
The City of Huntington Beach will close off all metered parking along the beach side of Pacific Coast Highway beginning Friday, April 10th until further notice. Given the critical importance of social distancing during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the closures will further limit the number of visitors to our beaches and minimize the transmission of COVID-19. This closure follows the City’s recent decisions to close the Huntington Beach Pier, parking lots, and grass areas to reinforce Governor Gavin Newsom’s Stay-At-Home Executive Order. The Executive Order urges Californians to only leave their homes for essential needs and to practice social distancing as the best way to flatten the curve.
In addition, both large grass areas between 9th and 11th Streets and the Seapoint Picnic Area will be closed. Please do not enter these fenced areas as they are intended to prevent any gatherings that may spread COVID-19.
Enforcement of Beachside Metered Parking Closures
The Huntington Beach Police Department will patrol the beachside metered stalls along Pacific Coast Highway. Any vehicles parked illegally in these metered stalls starting April 10 will be ticketed and/or towed. Please do not park in any nearby residential neighborhoods, as parking throughout the City has been limited due to residents staying at home during the Order. The Huntington Beach Police Department will also be adding additional patrols in the neighborhoods near the beach to assist with parking and overcrowding issues.
The intent of closing these stalls is to limit visitation to the beach and flatten the curve of COVID-19 cases in Huntington Beach. This is a temporary closure only, but it will have real impacts by saving lives and bringing an end to this pandemic.
Orange County Recommends the Use of Face Coverings
The County of Orange is now recommending everyone, especially employees of essential businesses, to wear face coverings while leaving home for essential services. The Orange County Health Officer STRONGLY RECOMMENDS the following:
- All Essential Workers should wear a face covering while at work when interacting with the public or co-workers. In addition, all Orange County residents should wear a face covering when outside the home engaged in Allowed Activities.
- All entities necessary to maintain the continuity of operations of federal critical infrastructure sectors as identified here:
https://covid19.ca.gov/img/Essentialcriticalinfrastructureworkers.pdf, should maintain a healthy work environment as recommended by CDC’s Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html.
Face coverings can help limit the transmission of COVID-19, especially among infected patients who are asymptomatic and unknowingly spreading the virus. A face covering is not an N-95 or surgical mask, which should be reserved for medical professionals only. Face coverings can be made at home using a variety of materials, should cover the entire nose and mouth, and be secured with ties or straps. Instructions on making your own can be found at www.HBready.com.
Please note, however, that the best defense against COVID-19 remains unchanged:
- Stay at home and socially distance
- Wash hands frequently and thoroughly
- Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
- Avoid being around sick people
- Stay home if you are sick
For more information about City updates and services during the pandemic, please call our HB Ready Call Center at (714) 536-5511 or visit our COVID-19 website at www.HBready.com. In addition, a comprehensive list of resources for residents, businesses, volunteers, and other groups adversely impacted by COVID-19 is now available at hbready.com/resource-sheet.
Link to Press Release PDF Here