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Showing posts with label coronavirus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label coronavirus. Show all posts


The mayor just announce that everyone in Los Angeles must wear a face mask when outside:

“And as long as you’re not doing a solitary activity or with your own household, put that mask on,” he said. “Always now.” “Bring your masks with you whenever you leave your home. That will help us get more freedoms, open up more parts of our city,” he said.

There are exceptions in place for small children or those with disabilities.

This comes after L.A. County announced Tuesday during a Board of Supervisors meeting that its stay-at-home restrictions would likely last for three more months.

“Our Safer at Home order will remain in place beyond May 15,” the mayor said. “Depending on public health conditions, we will continue to adjust the order to safely allow more businesses to operate and more people to get back to work. “

And if you need a mask, or more masks, we just got some Hecho En Venice Face Masks in our online store, as model by Mr Hecho himself (below).


Hecho En Venice Face Masks - Click Here To Order


For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE




All the Beaches Are Closed banners and signs starting to be removed and these new Beach Rules signs are being put up.

LA Beaches & Harbors have been placing them at most beaches. They are the same image they posted to their social media accounts when they announced the beaches would reopen.


Santa Monica has also put up their own sign:





For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE





"Surf’s up! LA County beaches are reopening this Wednesday, May 13 for individual activities like swimming, surfing, jogging, and walking."

“LA County Beaches are reopening this Wednesday, May 13 for individual activities like swimming, surfing, jogging and walking." Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn announced today.

LA Beaches & Harbors confirmed the opening:

On 5/13, LA Co. beaches reopen w/ the following rules:
• Individual/family activities & exercise ONLY
• No lying or sitting on sand, canopies, coolers or picnicking
• 6+ ft. physical distancing & masks REQUIRED
• Parking lots, bike path, piers & boardwalks remain CLOSED




But take note, these city officials don't agree with each other on this, so one of them might cock block this decision. Also, Malibu said it's beaches are different than those down south, so they may nee additional time to set health guidelines before they open.

Around 5:00PM, Santa Monica has agreed to open their beaches via their social media accounts:

"Santa Monica beaches will reopen this Wednesday, May 13 for ocean activities and exercise with restrictions - specifically NO gathering, sitting & sunbathing."

For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE






The fence Santa Monica erected to keep people off the bike path has been defeated, with an epic result.

For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE






As we first reported via our Instagram Story, a bunch of people showed up today (Saturday, May 9th) at the entrance to the Santa Monica Pier to protest. Adults of all ages, a lot of kids, held signs and waved flags. And some girls who were there twerking for the cause.

Most were protesting California's quarantine closures, some were protesting the vaccine companies. And about three were there to sell hats and masks.

The lady on the bullhorn running the circus made it known to all that she is from San Diego and she is a big protester who is facing jail time down there.











For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE






Yet another change in the plans of reopening LA beaches.

Now Los Angeles County public health officials said that they will "use this weekend to test whether people can obey loosened stay-at-home directives before deciding whether to lift some coastal restrictions next week."

“We are going to pay a lot of attention to how well we all do this weekend in terms of being able to comply with the directives,” Barbara Ferrer, director of Los Angeles County’s Department of Public Health, said during her daily coronavirus briefing on Friday.

"If things go well," she added, "officials might relax more rules next week."

“We’re looking forward to hopefully getting there by next week.”

This damn lady is always giving vague answers about this.

Basically, they are going to see how well people on the reopened hiking trials follow the rules. The whole keeping six feet from others, no large groups, and that everyone wears a face covering.

For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE






Here's today update:

"We don't want a stampede to the beaches," said Nicole Mooradian, public information officer for L.A. County's Department of Beaches and Harbors, on Friday. "Right now we're planning for Wednesday."

What she really means is that the first phase of reopening the beaches might start next week.

There are 4 phases for reopening LA County beaches:

Phase one: gatherings beyond household members are prohibited. Surfing, running, walking and solo activities are allowed. No chairs, umbrellas or tents. Phase one lasts approximately six weeks and includes Memorial Day weekend.

Phase two: gatherings beyond household members are still prohibited, but chairs and umbrellas would be allowed. There’s a possibility, though, beaches would close for the Fourth of July weekend.

Phase three: small gatherings would be allowed, volleyball courts would open and film permits enabled.

Phase four: large gatherings would be permitted, with normal operation resumed.


She goes on to add that the first phase of the beaches reopening may last "about six weeks, but it could be shorter and it could be longer." She gives no clear reason for this, she just said, "It just depends on how many people come, and what the attendance looks like."

"We want people to wear masks when they're not in the water," Mooradian said.


But remember, mayors can cockblock the reopening.

For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE




Topanga - Photo: Six12 Media


It appears they are making changes daily about the reopening of beaches in LA. Here's today update:

Today, the Los Angeles County’s public health director Barbara Ferrer claims she is close to approving a phased plan for opening county beaches, paving the way for renewed public access to the coastline as early as next week. The Los Angeles Department of Beaches and Harbors is preparing for that possibility, with the most likely opening date being Friday, May 15.

Carol Baker, from the county Department of Beaches and Harbors said she she was “under the impression” the plan was close to complete. “As of now, we have not received a final word on when the beaches will open,” she added. “We’re preparing for as soon as next week.”

So basically, the Department of Beaches and Harbors and the Los Angeles County’s public health director are NOT working together, since neither knows what the other is actually doing.

Santa Monica officials have been getting ready for a potential early opening of beaches, but said they are doing everything in lockstep with the county.

“We have this limited reopening next week with all water sports involved,” said Manhattan Beach Mayor Richard Montgomery. All restrooms at beaches will be open and county staff will be in charge of frequent cleaning, Montgomery said. The concrete areas above the sand will also off limits. That means no pedestrians or cyclists on bike paths, the Strand or Esplanade.

Officials with Hermosa Beach, which also owns its beach, have said they will follow suit with whatever restrictions the county makes.

The draft plan that has been released (but still needs "additional tweaking") on reopening LA County beaches is as follows:

Phase one: gatherings beyond household members are prohibited. Surfing, running, walking and solo activities are allowed. No chairs, umbrellas or tents. Phase one lasts approximately six weeks and includes Memorial Day weekend.

Phase two: gatherings beyond household members are still prohibited, but chairs and umbrellas would be allowed. There’s a possibility, though, beaches would close for the Fourth of July weekend.

Phase three: small gatherings would be allowed, volleyball courts would open and film permits enabled.

Phase four: large gatherings would be permitted, with normal operation resumed.



For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE





As we reported already, select businesses are permitted to reopen on 5/8/20 and trailheads and golf courses can reopen 5/9/20.

Santa Monica officially announced that some of their closures, including the beach area, Santa Monica Pier, and Palisades Park remain in effect.
Source: @santamonicacity

For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE




Los Angeles County officially announced Wednesday, May 6, the guidelines for the first round of businesses to reopen. Approved by the tantrum throwing Gov. Gavin Newsom to begin as soon as Friday, which makes no sense in why he wants to make all these businesses wait these extra days. He claims "science and data", but we all know his science and data is flawed.

L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said trails, golf courses, florists, car dealers and retail businesses selling toys, books, clothing, sporting goods and music can open as soon as Friday with curb-side pickup only.




As for the parks, County staff will be deployed to monitor trails to ensure they don’t become overcrowded.

“What’s best for other counties may not necessarily be right for Los Angeles County as we are the most densely populated county in the state,” said Barger.

“Our guidelines will certainly look different than others. When we reopen slowly but surely we must maintain physical distancing, continue to wear face coverings and rely on pickup and delivery.”

Again ,no word on beaches reopening.


For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE





L.A. County Director of Public Health Dr. Barbara Ferrer said at a news conference on Tuesday that L.A. County beaches, which have been closed since March 27, will reopen “soon.” She kept very vague about the reopening of the beaches. The existing health officer order closing the beaches expires on May 15.

Ferrer said her department has been “working hard” with the mayors of beach cities and L.A. County Beaches and Harbors.

“I think we’ll have a plan that will have our beaches reopen safe,” she said. Noting that the county’s beach city mayors have been working with beaches and harbors staff and have “created some documents that we are reviewing at the public health department. These are consensus documents and we think they look great.”

Ferrer said those documents “will give us the ability to have a road map for safely reopening county beaches here in L.A. County.” But Ferrer refuses to mention any timeline for the reopening L.A. County beaches.

San Diego was able to reopen their beaches. Orange County and Ventura were able to as well. Those beaches reopened with health guidelines in place, but looks like this Ferrer lady needs more time to come up with her own guidelines for LA beaches.



For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE





Yesterday, San Clemente and Laguna were allowed to re-open.

Today, the tantrum throwing governor of California is allowing 3 more cities to reopen their beaches.

The cities of Huntington Beach, Dana Point and Seal Beach can now reopen their respective beaches with modifications to protect public health and avoid crowding.

Huntington Beach outlined the following specific regulations for beachgoers:

- Local beaches will be open from 5 a.m. - 10 p.m.
- Only "active recreation activities" are allowed, including walking, running, hiking and bicycle riding
- Physical distancing must be practiced
- The ocean will be open to swimming, surfing and other water activities
- Huntington Beach Pier, beach playgrounds and picnic areas will remain off-limits
- The following Huntington Harbor beaches will remain closed: Davenport Beach, Humboldt Beach, Trinidad Beach, Seabridge Park Beach

Under the modifications, "passive games," loitering, sunbathing and any gathering of people, except when with those in your immediate household, are prohibited.

For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE




Gov. Gruelsom Newsom announced Monday that the next stage of reopening California's economy will begin as early as Friday. This is what they are referring to as "Stage 2".

Newsom's "Stage 2" of reopening will allow for retail business to open for curbside pick-up only. Businesses such as book stores, clothing stores, sporting goods, toy stores and florists, will be allowed to re-open, given they follow additional safety and hygiene protocols that will be released Thursday, Newsom claims.

Surf shops fall under the clothing and sporting goods categories.

Shopping malls will not be allowed to reopen.

But Newsom also emphasized that local officials still have the authority to accelerate or slow down reopening at the county level.

For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE




Last week, the city of Santa Monica said the new parking restiction at Bay Street was only ging to be for that weekend due to the warm weather. And those restrictions were lifted the following Monday. But they just put them back today. So It seems like this is going to happen every weekend now, regardless of the weather.

Vehicles with a displayed residential parking permit from within a two block radius can park at the bagged meters and will not be cited or towed.

Source: The official Twitter for the City of Santa Monica,

For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE




Huntington Beach's beach closure started today, but surfers and bodyboarders were still seen in the water getting waves this morning. Several pro surfers were spotted out there too.

Brooke Daigneault came out of the water as the police drove by. She said, "Well, I just waved to the police officer, he waved back. So I guess we're cool." And then she went back out again.



Surfer Keanu Igarashi, left talks to police on the south side of the Huntington Beach pier. Photo: Michael Fernandez


Keanu Igarashi was one of the surfers who surfed this morning. Keanu said the police told him they weren’t sure of what to do, they are in a hard spot in this situation. The city is fighting the governor’s order to close the beach.

Some claim the police may have been more focused on the then upcoming protest march to bother with the surfers, others feel the cops just don't want to deal with this crap.



Photo: Michael Fernandez


For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE



This is a photo take today over Huntington Beach. Photo: Chris Cristi from the ABC helicopter



Gov. Gavin Newsom closed beaches in Orange County on Thursday, overriding some local officials who had rejected his pleas to limit access as the coronavirurs continues to spread throughout the state.

Yesterday, news "leaked" that a memo to the state's police chiefs was sent indicating that Govenor Newsom was preparing to close all beaches in the state of California.

This was all because last weekend, images of large crowds at Newport and Huntington made global headlines and that made Newsom mad.


Newport Beach, Friday, April 24. Photo: Chris Cristi from the ABC helicopter

Newsom said those packed beaches were “disturbing" and makes it more difficult for him to consider relaxing the state's mandatory stay-at-home order.

“The only thing that will delay it is more weekends like last weekend," he roared. “Let's not see that happen.”

Both Newport and Huntington responded with statements via social media that the crowds were not what all the photos and videos depicted, claiming the images were shot with telephotos lens and other trickery. Newsome didn't buy it.

San Diego beaches opened this week, but with restrictions. Officials are allowing walking, jogging, swimming, single-person paddle boarding and kayaking, and of course, surfing. Stopping, sitting, or lying down on the beach is banned. Good thing SUP'ing is allowed, now the head of the WSL could go out and get some, instead of thinking up more lame ass WSL reality shows.

A statement from Newsom's office called restrictions like that “responsible strategies to allow residents to recreate in coastal areas.”


San Diego on April 27. Photo: K.C. Alfred


San Diego beaches were saved from the Gov's new closure order.

Kevin Faulconer, the mayor of San Diego, took to Twitter to announce the news: "Great news: the Governor heard us. San Diego beaches WILL STAY OPEN under our plan approved by lifeguards and health officials. In a time of great crisis we don't need knee-jerk policies. We need to keep a steady hand. It’s the only way to keep the public’s trust. Keep it up, SD!"

“We are hopeful that Orange County can work with us to apply a similar approach,” the Governor's Office said in a news release.

So around noon today, Newsom ended up limiting the new order to just Orange County beaches.

“Governor Newsom just doesn't seem to get it,” said Republican state Sen. John Moorlach, a former Orange County Supervisor who represents the area in the state Legislature. “We need to trust people. If our citizens exercise proper social distancing, then we should allow access to the beaches.”

“Every local law enforcement entity found last weekend’s beach usage in Orange County to be in compliance with social distancing. Yet King Gavin decided press stories were more worthy of trust than law enforcement. I guess we should not be surprised,” read a statement from OC GOP Chairman Fred Whitaker.

OC Sheriff Don Barnes said enforcing the beach closure is tricky, especially because officials didn’t have the written order Thursday afternoon.

Barnes said sheriff deputies will be looking for “voluntary compliance” on the beach closures, like they do with the existing stay home orders that shut down non-essential businesses like bars, nightclubs, concert halls, sports arenas and movie theaters.

“My responsibility, as the County Sheriff, is to protect lives and property and also while preserving the Constitutional rights of the residents of Orange County. And in that, there’s a balancing test,” Barnes said at the Thursday news conference.

He said the department will focus on educating residents about the beach closures in a light-handed approach to enforcement.

“From an enforcement component, I have no desire to enforce any aspect of that through arrest. We have various other aspects we are dealing with going forward.”

Tonight, the Huntington Beach City Council voted during an emergency session to seek an injunction against Gov. Gavin Newsom’s order to close Orange County beaches. The governor ordered Orange County beaches closed on Thursday despite opposition from local leaders who argue they should decide whether it’s safe to hit the sand.


And what about Ventura?


Photo: @CountyVentura


"Despite some of the headlines Ventura County beaches were not packed last weekend", the Ventura County Twitter account stated. "Shout out to our community for following the rules and for the hard work of all police agencies throughout coastal cities. VC you are helping stop the spread of COVID-19"

Ventura has “keep moving” guidelines at their beaches. If you head to the beach you can only walk, run, swim or surf. You cannot sit or sunbathe. Parking and bathrooms remain closed.

"Soft closures at County of Ventura, City of Port Hueneme, City of Oxnard and City of Ventura Beaches. Walking, running, swimming, surfing all good but hanging on the beach is not permitted. Basically, you must keep moving. No sunbathing, chairs, blankets, coolers, sun shade umbrellas. You must keep moving. Please follow social distancing guidance. Please enjoy the weekend safely. Our Deputies and law enforcement throughout the County are on watch."

Meanwhile, all of our Los Angeles beaches remain closed.



For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE


Photo by @marygrosswendt


17 year old longboarder from Malibu, Brooke Carlson took to Instagram to respond the angry governor's new state-wide beach closure order:

"As of May 1st in California, you will not be allowed on the beach or in the water. Gavin Newsom, you don’t own the ocean so that fact you're ticketing people for surfing is beyond me. In Ventura the boardwalk was far more crowded then in the water or on the beach and you don’t hear anyone talking about closing the boardwalk. Everybody I saw (I went on a beach run this weekend from marina park to Ventura pier about a 2 1/2 mile stretch) was following the CDC rules and everybody was being respectful of the CHP when they said that you can’t be laying on the beach, you have to be moving around and social distancing. I understand it may have been a different story in Newport and Huntington but that shouldn’t mean just because people wanted to go lay on the beach that you have to punish the people who actually surf and train at the beach. If people want to go against CDC rules they’re going to do it regardless of if it’s at the beach or not. This completely sends the wrong message to people and county’s who are actually following the rules. Feel free to disagree but this is just my opinion" - Brooke Carlson




Gov. Gavin Newsom will order all beaches and state parks closed Friday after tens of thousands of people from the inlands drove over to the beaches last weekend during a heat wave despite his stay-at-home order, according to a memo sent Wednesday evening to police chiefs around the state.

Eric Nuñez, president of the California Police Chiefs Association, said it was sent to give chiefs time to plan ahead of Newsom’s expected announcement Thursday.

“We wanted to give all of our members a heads up about this in order to provide time for you to plan any situations you might expect as a result, knowing each community has its dynamics,” the memo sent by the California Police Chiefs Association, said.



Newsom this week targeted beachgoers in Orange and Ventura counties, calling them an example of “what not to do” if the state wants to continue its progress fighting the coronavirus. While many beaches and trails throughout the state have been closed for weeks, others have remained open with warnings for visitors to practice social distancing and more have reopened.

News reports claim that in Newport Beach, some 80,000 visitors hit the beach over the weekend, although lifeguards said most people exercised social distancing. With criticism swirling. The Newport Beach City Council had just met on Tuesday and rejected a proposal to close the beaches for the next three weekends.

Nearby Laguna Beach approved a limited reopening. Beaches across San Diego County reopened Monday, with a few exceptions.

After getting word of Newsom's coming order, Orange County Supervisor Don Wagner made official statement regarding the closure of his beaches in OC.

Response from Orange County Supervisor:

"I believe Governor Newsom has the power to close Orange County beaches. However, it is not wise to do so. Medical professionals tell us the importance of fresh air and sunlight in fighting infectious diseases, including mental health benefits. Moreover, Orange County citizens have been cooperative with California state and county restrictions thus far. I fear that this overreaction from the state will undermine that cooperative attitude and our collective efforts to fight the disease, based on the best available medical information."

Here's some of the many photos going around of the packed beaches this past weekend, which is why Newsom is doing this.



Typical summer day at those OC beaches.

As for Los Angeles beaches, as we all know, they are already closed.

For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE




First the Fresh Prince's kid and Superbad, now another Malibu celebrity just made the international tabloids for surfing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Yesterday, the main guy from Sparta was caught be tabloid paparazzis heading on an ATV to "a private beach access on Sunday afternoon in Malibu. ".

You can read about guy from Sparta's surfing adventure and fashion choices at The Daily Mail







For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE




The New Parking Restrictions At Bay Street have been removed. They were just temporary for the weekend as reported.

For more of our coverage of the Coronavirus lockdown, closures, and how our local surf community and businesses are doing, CLICK HERE