Dear Residents,

The City of Rancho Palos Verdes continues to monitor the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Los Angeles County and would like to share the following updates with the community:

The Latest

Alert SouthBay Community Survey #2

The Alert SouthBay cities, including Rancho Palos Verdes, want to hear from you about your COVID-19 concerns and what kind of information you need and care about most. Take a moment to fill out a quick survey at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Z9ZD2NW

Cases

As of April 15, there are 10,496 known cases of novel coronavirus across Los Angeles County, including the South Bay, so the public should not think one location is safer than another and everyone should be aware and practice physical distancing. The total includes 46 cases in Rancho Palos Verdes, 36 in Palos Verdes Estates and 11 in Rolling Hills Estates. Countywide, 402 people have died.

To date, the City is aware of the deaths of two residents who reportedly contracted the novel coronavirus. We extend our deepest condolences to the residents’ families and ask for their privacy to be respected during this difficult time.

Belmont Village on Crestridge Road is included on the county’s list of long-term care facilities with at least one resident who developed symptoms while in the facility and tested positive for COVID-19.

For a list of cases broken down by city and age group, visit: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/locations.htm

It’s important to note that the total number of confirmed cases that the Department of Public Health shares every day reflects a moment in time and may not include cases confirmed by commercial labs that have not yet been shared with the Department of Public Health. A commercial lab may share a positive result with a physician before the health department.

Essential Businesses Have Until Midnight to Provide Workers with Face Coverings and Post Physical Distancing Plans

As part of the revised “Safer at Home” Order, essential businesses are required to provide cloth face coverings for all of their employees to wear while performing duties that involve contact with other employees and/or the public, and to post their physical distancing plans. The order allows essential businesses to implement the new measures by no later than 11:59 p.m. on April 15.

The public is also required to wear a face covering to enter essential businesses.

The Department of Public Health has provided the following Notice to Customers poster for essential businesses: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/NoticeToCustomers.pdf

City Staff reporting to work are considered essential employees and measures are in place consistent with the latest orders.

As a reminder, the “Safer at Home” Order was extended to May 15. Accordingly, all City closures and event cancellations are extended through this date.

Read the updated order at https://covid19.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/HOO_Safer-at-Home-Order-for-Control-of-COVID_04102020.pdf

Plasma Donations Needed

A Torrance Fire Engineer is in need of a plasma donation to help him fight his COVID illness. Specifically, he needs plasma donated from a fully recovered COVID patient so their antibodies may help boost his ability to fight back.

Please see the below requirements. If you think you or someone you know fits the criteria, please contact Dr. Marc Cohen at emsdoc911@hotmail.com or use the below url link to contact the American Red Cross:
Plasma Donations from Recovered COVID-19 Patients
 
Time is of the essence. Even if you aren’t a match, you could be for another patient who needs this therapy.
 
To qualify as a plasma donor, you must:
 
1. Have had COVID as confirmed by a positive test.
2. Already be recovered and have one of the following:

• a. your symptoms resolved at least 28 days prior to donation OR
• b. your symptoms resolved 14 days prior to donation AND a repeat COVID test is negative

3. Be one of the following:

• a. Male donor
• b. Female donor who has never been pregnant
• c. Female donor who has been tested since their most recent pregnancy and results interpreted as negative for HLA antibodies.

https://www.dailybreeze.com/2020/04/15/torrance-firefighter-receives-overwhelming-response-to-help-him-recover-from-coronavirus/

Los Angeles County Paycheck Protection Program Application Portal

COVID-19 Antibody Testing

Local Antibody Testing

 
Palos Verdes Medical Group is now offering drive-thru COVID-19 antibody tests (also known as serology tests) on the fourth (top) floor of the Promenade on the Peninsula mall. Testing is by appointment only and is open to both PVMG patients and community members of all ages. A telehealth visit is required prior to scheduling an antibody test. Eligible patients include, but are not limited to, those who had, but do not currently exhibit COVID-19 symptoms, people who may have been in contact with someone who was exposed to COVID-19, or individuals with high-risk jobs. This antibody test is $50 per person and is not currently covered by insurance.
 
To make an appointment for either an antibody test or a COVID-19 test, call PVMG at 310-544-6858 or email info@pvmedgroup.com.

COVID-19 Facebook Live Town Hall Meeting April 16

Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi is holding a virtual town hall meeting with Congressman Ted Lieu and State Senator Ben Allen this Thursday, April 16 at 2 p.m. via Facebook Live to discuss issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including federal and state programs to help those in need. Visit Assemblymember Muratsuchi’s Facebook page to tune in at facebook.com/Muratsuchi

DMV Extends All Expiring Driver Licenses

The California Department of Motor Vehicles is extending driver licenses expiring during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Licenses for drivers younger than 70 that expire between March and May 2020 are now valid through May 31, 2020.

All commercial driver licenses, endorsements and certificates expiring between March and June 2020 are now valid through June 30, 2020, aligning with a recent emergency declaration from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The extension does not include medical certificates for commercial drivers, which requires additional administrative actions scheduled in the near future.

The DMV has alerted California law enforcement of the extensions. Californians with a suspended license are not eligible.

The DMV continues to review and process online renewals, and encourages drivers who are eligible to renew their license online to do so.

The extensions require no individual action on the part of drivers. These drivers will not receive a new card or an extension in the mail. As an option, these drivers can request a free temporary paper extension online through DMV’s Virtual Field Office to document their extension.

The Virtual Field Office, virtual.dmv.ca.gov, builds on the other online services already available to DMV customers at dmv.ca.gov, including driver license renewals.

The temporary extensions are in addition to other steps the DMV announced earlier this month to help Californians with expiring licenses, including:

• A 120-day extension for drivers age 70 and older. Drivers age 70 and older with expiring noncommercial licenses are receiving an extension in the mail automatically.
• Temporarily waiving required in-person renewals for eligible driver license and identification cardholders with expirations in March, April, and May 2020. Individuals who meet the criteria are able to renew online or by mail.

• Temporarily closing field offices. Following deep cleaning, expansion of virtual services and development of new protocols, the DMV soon will offer in-person services in each region. Information on office openings will be announced by DMV in the near future.
• Canceling all behind-the-wheel drive tests to honor social distancing guidelines.
• Suspending extended office hours and Saturday service.

As a reminder, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has announced that the REAL ID enforcement date is October 1, 2021. Customers who want a REAL ID will have an opportunity to apply at a later date.

Reminder: Parks, Beaches and Nature Preserve CLOSED

The City would like to remind residents that all City parks, beaches and open space areas, including the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve, remain closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

City staff, Park Rangers and law enforcement are monitoring these areas.

These closures follow county and state guidance, along with similar closures by other cities, and were put in place March 23 after a weekend that saw a high volume of visitors despite the “Safer at Home” Order and physical distancing guidelines.

Please know that these closures are temporary. The more we all stay home except for essential needs and stick to walking in our neighborhoods, the sooner we will get through this and reopen the open space areas.

We’re all in this together, RPV. We will get through this together and resume our routines, but we need everyone to do their part to get us through sooner.

For a full list of closures, visit: bit.ly/2UexWwo

Other Closures

For a list of school, library, transit and other local closures, visit the Closure Information page on the City’s coronavirus webpage.

Open for Business

Need a list of Peninsula restaurants that are serving takeout and delivery? Or updated grocery store hours? Check out the Open for Business tab on the City’s coronavirus webpage. If you would like to add your business to this page or provide updated information, please email slee@rpvca.gov.

How You Can Help

Local Volunteer Match

PVPUSD School Board Member Linda Reid is coordinating a volunteer effort to match up senior citizens needing errand/grocery/meal help in PV with volunteers. PVPUSD students, parents, and alums unexpectedly home from college will assist! Any older residents may email Member Reid at reidl@pvpusd.net to be matched up with a local volunteer during this difficult isolating time. 

Find out other ways to help at the How You Can Help page on the City’s coronavirus webpage.

City Hall Closed

As a reminder, to reduce the risk of community spread of COVID-19, through at least May 15, City Hall and park buildings are closed to the public, and all recreational activities, classes and events at City facilities have been canceled. The City will primarily be providing essential city services that are necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of our community and City employees. To facilitate these measures, all non-essential staff will be working remotely. Inquiries will be reviewed daily and will be responded to on a case-by-case basis. Please note that our response to your inquiry could be delayed.

Community Development Department applications and permit requests may be submitted to planning@rpvca.gov. 

Non-emergency service requests may be submitted at http://www.rpvca.gov/FormCenter/NonEmergency-Customer-Service-Requests-3/NonEmergency-Customer-Service-Requests-43. 

Public Works service requests may be submitted at https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/6d13530e7ca84edbb5c4e022bdc54da8. 
 
Please visit the appropriate department page on the City website for a list of phone numbers and email addresses to accommodate your needs:
 
City Manager
City Clerk
Community Development
Finance
Human Resources
Public Works
Recreation, Parks & Open Space
RPVtv
 
Overall Staff Directory

Resources

Always check with trusted sources for the latest accurate information about novel coronavirus.

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health: publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus
California Department of Public Health: cdph.ca.gov/covid19 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): cdc.gov/COVID19
World Health Organization: who.int/coronavirus
California Governor’s Office: covid19.ca.gov
County of Los Angeles: lacounty.gov/covid19
L.A. County residents can also call 2-1-1
FEMA Coronavirus Rumor Control: https://www.fema.gov/Coronavirus-Rumor-Control
 
Sign up for “Notify Me” City listervs at rpvca.gov/notify

Be sure to also follow the City on Nextdoor, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 
 
Sign up for emergency alerts from Alert SouthBay by:

• Texting “alertsb” to 888-777, which returns a link to register for Everbridge (for COVID-19-related alerts, text the keyword "cv19rpv")
• Registering online at alertsouthbay.com
• Downloading the free Everbridge app on an iOS or Android device from the App Store or Google Play. Select “Find an organization or subscription” and search “alertsb”

Sign up for emergency alerts from Alert LA County at https://lacounty.gov/emergency/alert-la/ 

The City Council is committed to keeping you informed on this ever-changing situation, and thanks you for your cooperation and support. The City reminds all residents that closures and cancellations announced by the City and other agencies and institutions are being implemented because public health officials advise that physical distancing is the best and most effective tool to slow the spread of coronavirus.