On June 15, Interim City Manager Lane Dilg signed the 37th supplement to align Santa Monica’s local emergency provisions with Los Angeles County and its Safer Return Together to Work and In The Community Health Officer Order as the State of California re-opens its economy after 15 months of Safer at Home orders.
The City of Santa Monica’s local emergency order remains in place, but many supplements are rolled back in light of increased vaccination rates and decreased numbers of COVID-19 cases. The 37th supplement extends the City’s local emergency orders, with certain exceptions, to July 15, 2021.
“This is a moment to celebrate all of the hard work the Santa Monica community has put in over the last 15 months. Our community is 76% vaccinated, our economic recovery is on track, and our public spaces are thriving,” said Interim City Manager Lane Dilg. “Santa Monica’s local emergency remains in place, but our executive orders are significantly scaled back in line with our public health authority – the LA County Department of Public Health – to reflect the reopening of California’s economy. We look forward to a safe and beautiful summer in Santa Monica.”
The 37th supplement sunsets local provisions for physical distancing and the wearing of face coverings and adopts the State and County guidance. This includes:
- Masks are not required of any group in outdoor spaces but are recommended for unvaccinated persons in crowded outdoor settings.
- For indoor settings, unvaccinated persons are required to wear masks and maintaining universal masking of all persons indoors is “strongly” recommended.
- Removes capacity and physical distancing requirements.
- Businesses are no longer required to prepare and post protocols or submit plans or notify the County of events.
- Most sector-specific protocols are no longer required. Protocols will continue to be in place for youth, healthcare, and high-risk congregate settings. The Health Officer Order specifically calls out protocol requirements for day camps, PK-12 education and childcare, and mega events.
- LA County Department of Public Health has shared best practices for different sectors, including those for youth sports, restaurants, and movie theaters.
Here are important points to note:
- The City’s eviction moratorium for residential tenants for reasons other than non-payment of rent is not extended by the 37th Supplement, but it remains in place through June 30, 2021, subject to any subsequent order that may extend that date.
- Prior supplements relating to business use of outdoor public and private space have already been extended in a more permanent fashion through the City Council’s June 8, 2021 action, which included two resolutions that establish and waive certain fees for use of public property.
For the latest information, please visit santamonica.gov/coronavirus, or call the City at 311.
