On March 17, the Orange County Health Officer issued an order prohibiting all non-essential, public and private gatherings of any number of people outside a person’s home, in order to help limit the spread of COVID-19.

In response, Huntington Beach is now operating under Phase 3 of its HB Ready Response Plan (attached) and has closed all City facilities beginning today. The City is currently developing a plan to scale down City operations. However, at this time, we remain committed to providing these important City services:

Live Helpline Call Center
The City has set a helpline center with live phone operators to help answer your COVID-19 or general City questions. Starting Thursday, March 19, please call 714-536-5511 from 9am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday to speak with a City Hall representative that can help you.

Police
The Huntington Beach Police Department (HBPD) will provide critical public safety services (patrol, custody, and investigations) at normal staffing levels. HBPD has closed its front lobby and stations to the public, in order to protect our first responders and visitors from COVID-19. Reports are being taken over the phone at (714) 960-8811.

HBPD will also provide increased patrol checks to closed businesses and residential neighborhoods. The Department is aware of the order by the Orange County Health Officer. At this time, the police department is taking an educational approach with social gathering situations and will only be enforcing violations in aggravated situations.

Finally, given the increased number of people who are quarantining themselves at home, HBPD has also suspended all Street Sweeping enforcement within the City until further notice.

Fire
The Huntington Beach Fire Department (HBFD) continues to respond to all service calls at normal staffing levels. HBFD is prepared to handle calls from individuals reporting symptoms resembling COVID-19. They are actively tracking all potential COVID-19 cases within the City; as of today, there are zero cases within the City.

Senior Care Services
Essential senior care services including Meals on Wheels and lunch (takeout only, no dine in) at the Senior Center will continue to be provided.

Beaches and Parks
The City’s expansive beaches and parks will continue to be publicly accessible. The City will continue to ensure that all beach / downtown parking lots and structures remain open daily with no change in operating schedule. However, the City will not be staffing any of the parking kiosks and will instead rely on law enforcement capabilities to enforce curfew / usage of the parking facilities.

For those that do use the beaches and parks, the City reminds everyone to use social distancing
protocols while spending time outdoors.

Other Services
Water and sewer operations will continue as normal. Only required, regulatory permitting and
inspection requests will be granted, on a case-by-case basis.

Contact: City staff is working diligently as One HB to provide the latest updates as they become available. All updates will be posted immediately on http://www.HBready.com. Information can also be obtained by calling City Hall at (714) 536-5511.

HB Ready Response Plan