Culver City Vaccination Mandate Approved for Businesses and City Facilities
County Guidance for Bars, Nightclubs and Lounges
Update on Modified Quarantine Option for Parents/Guardians of School-aged Children
Vaccine Third Dose
COVID-19 Prevention in Public Settings
COVID-19 Testing
Flu Immunizations are More Important than Ever this Year
COVID-19 Counts in Culver City and LA County
1. Guidance for a Safe Halloween
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health offers many suggestions on how to reduce your risk of COVID-19 while celebrating Halloween. Luckily many Halloween activities can be held outside, but there are still risks to consider, especially with the level of COVID-19 circulating in the community.
When planning Halloween activities, think about your and your family’s level of risk and remember where COVID-19 spreads more easily:
Closed spaces with poor air flow
Crowded places with many people nearby
Close contact settings especially where people are talking, laughing, screaming, or breathing heavily close together.
If there are unvaccinated persons in your household, choose the safer Halloween options. This is especially important for unvaccinated older adults or people with certain medical conditions, or vaccinated persons with weakened immune systems. Visit the Reducing Risk website to learn more about staying safe and preventing the spread of COVID-19.
Get Vaccinated Now to Be Ready for Halloween. If you and/or your family are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination, make it a priority to get vaccinated as soon as possible. This will provide extra protection while celebrating the holiday. Get vaccinated against the flu as well.
Safer Halloween Options
Safer Halloween options are situations where it is easier to keep a distance from others, wear a face mask correctly, and avoid mixing with a lot of different people, especially if you don’t know their vaccination status and recent risks. Ideas for Safer Activities Include:
A scavenger hunt - give your kids a list of Halloween-themed things to look for outdoors, like different types of decorations. Keep a distance from people outside your household.
Hold a virtual costume party online.
Exchange candy with families you know. Drop off a Halloween treat at the doorstep to surprise the kids. Trick-or-treat inside your home by hiding candy for your kids to find. For a fun surprise, hide yourself, too!
Have a spooky movie night or a Halloween craft or pumpkin carving party with the family.
Organize a neighborhood costume parade outdoors. Don’t forget to physically distance. Bring and wear a face mask in case it gets crowded.
Trick-or-Treating
Door-to-door trick-or-treating brings many different households into close contact, especially if people gather on doorsteps and walkways or congregate at popular sites. “Trunk or treating” (where trick-or-treaters go from car to car instead of door to door to receive treats) can have similar risks.
Here are ways to make these activities safer:
Trick-Or-Treaters
Keep your group small. Limit your group to your immediate household or to a small group that you know well. Avoid mixing with many different families. Don’t be afraid to ask about people’s vaccination status and recent risks before deciding who is safe to trick-or-treat with.
Wear a face mask. Be creative and make your face mask part of your costume. A costume mask is NOT a substitute for a face mask that protects against COVID-19.
Do not wear a costume mask over a face mask. It can make breathing more difficult.
Wear a face mask if you are in a crowded outdoor place and if you must be indoors with others.
Make sure that everyone in your group wears a face mask consistently and correctly if your group includes different households, especially if there are people who are not fully vaccinated.
Keep your distance from other groups of trick-or-treaters. Wait on the sidewalk at least 6 feet from other groups. Don’t gather with other groups on porches and at front doors.
Keep hands clean. Carry hand sanitizer so that kids can clean their hands while trick-or-treating. Remind kids to not eat or touch their face with unclean hands.
Be flexible. If a house or street is crowded, come back later or go to another less crowded street.
Avoid indoor spaces. Wear masks at all times when you are indoors with people from other households.
Treaters
If you want to give out treats, think about the level of risk you’re willing to take. If you greet people at the door, you will be in close contact with many different people. If you are not fully vaccinated or you are at high risk for getting sick from COVID-19, opt for safer Halloween choices. Reduce Risk When Giving Out Treats:
Give out treats outdoors.
Set up a grab and go treat station outside your door. Place goodie bags at least 6 feet away from you for families to pick up.
Wear a face mask if you answer the door to trick-or-treaters. Consider wearing a face mask that provides a higher level of protection such as an N95 respirator or double mask (wear a cloth face mask over a surgical mask).
Use tape to mark spots six feet apart on the way up to your door where people can wait.
Use fun ways to give the candy while keeping your distance. Such as sliding the candy down a wrapping paper tube into trick-or-treat bags.
Halloween Tips for All Ages
Halloween is not just a holiday for kids, so here are some tips for teen werewolves and adult ghosts and ghouls:
Keep gatherings small and outdoors. If it must be indoors, improve the air flow by opening windows and doors if it is safe to do so.
Avoid indoor haunted houses where people may crowd together and scream. People spray tiny droplets when they yell or scream. The droplets can build up indoors, increasing the risk of spreading COVID-19 if someone is infected.
Avoid crowded places. Being in crowds, especially indoors, puts you at a higher risk.
Wear a face mask. Incorporate a face mask that covers your nose and mouth snugly into your costume. A costume mask is NOT a substitute for a face mask that protects against COVID-19. Wear the mask whenever you are inside with other people or in crowded outdoor spaces.
Be flexible. Be willing to change your plans or leave if you feel uncomfortable or find yourself in a place where COVID-19 can spread more easily. For example, indoors in a loud crowded bar or restaurant with a lot of people who are not wearing face masks. Thank you for helping to reduce the risk of COVID-19 for neighbors, children, and everyone in the community. Have a happy and safe Halloween!
Getting Vaccinated is the Best Way to Protect Against COVID-19
To find a free vaccine near you, visit the LA County Department of Public Health’s website or call the Public Health Vaccine Call Center at (833) 540-0473, open daily 8:00 AM to 8:30 PM. No appointment is needed at many locations and free transportation may be available. You do not need insurance and you will not be asked about your immigration status. In-home vaccination is available for people who are home-bound.
2. Culver City Vaccination Mandate Approved for Businesses and City Facilities
At the October 11 City Council Meeting, the City Council approved moving forward with a vaccine mandate for patrons and employees of a wide variety of businesses (including food, personal care, and fitness), as well as indoor City Facilities open to the public. This vaccine mandate will also include City elected and appointed officials. The City Manager will issue a Public Order, which is anticipated to come out sometime next week, and it will go into effect sometime in November. The vaccine mandate policy will apply to those 18 years and older, so outdoor youth sports will continue to follow LA County protocols. The Council Meeting Staff Report and meeting video are available online. Information will be posted on the City’s Coronavirus website, as soon as it’s available.
3. County Guidance for Bars, Nightclubs and Lounges
Bars, breweries, wineries and distilleries must require patrons 12 years and older to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination status with a photo ID for entry. Between October 7 and November 3, 2021, all patrons must provide proof they received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccination for entry to obtain indoor service. And, beginning November 4, 2021, all patrons 12 and older must provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 for entry into the facility indoor service. Children under the age of two years are exempt. Additionally, by November 4, 2021, all on-site employees must provide their employer with proof of full vaccination against COVID-19.
Nightclubs and lounges that are only open to persons 18 years and older, must require patrons and on-site personnel to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination status with a photo ID for entry. Between October 7 and November 3, 2021, patrons must provide proof they received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccination for entry to obtain indoor service at a nightclub or lounge. And, beginning November 4, 2021, all patrons must provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 for entry into the facility indoor service. Additionally, by November 4, 2021, all on-site employees must provide their employer with proof of full vaccination against COVID-19.
A negative COVID-19 test result does not qualify as an alternative to providing proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
4. Update on Modified Quarantine Option for Parents/Guardians of School-aged Children
The LA County Update on Modified Quarantine Option for Parents and Guardians of School-aged Children provides an update for parents and guardians concerning the new modified quarantine option available to TK-12 schools in Los Angeles County. This option makes it possible for children who have been exposed to COVID-19 in the classroom or another school setting to continue attending school as long as certain conditions are met. For information on other policies and steps to protect children from getting COVID-19 at school, see the LAC Department of Public Health Parent Update: TK-12 Schools.
If you meet the criteria outlined by the CDC, it is recommended that you get a 3rd dose of an mRNA (Pfizer or Moderna) vaccine at least 28 days after your 2nd dose of vaccine. When possible, you should receive the same vaccine that you received for your previous 2 doses. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has developed forms for Self-Attestation of eligibility in English and Spanish.
6. COVID-19 Prevention in Public Settings
Please see the COVID-19 Prevention in Public Settings document for a summary of mask, testing and vaccination requirements and recommendations for customers/guests in public settings. In Los Angeles County, most places are open with no physical distancing or capacity limits. Because of the continuing spread of COVID-19, there are rules that must be followed in public settings. For example, everyone must wear a mask when they are indoors and at outdoor Mega Events. In some venues, visitors must show that they are fully vaccinated or that they have had a negative test in the last 3 days. Venues can also choose to set rules of their own on top of Public Health requirements. Check with the business, event, or venue before buying a ticket or visiting. The rules outlined in the document are mandated by the Los Angeles County Health Officer Order.
U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) has also partnered with pharmacies and retail companies to accelerate testing for more Americans in communities across the country. View the HHS website for more information.
These companies are coordinating with state and local governments to:
Provide Americans with faster, less invasive and more convenient testing
Protect healthcare personnel by eliminating direct-contact with symptomatic individuals
Expand testing to communities across the United States, especially those that are under-tested and socially vulnerable
Please visit these companies' websites to learn more about their efforts to provide timely and accessible COVID-19 testing or to schedule an appointment.
No-cost testing is available at local health centers and select pharmacies:
8. Flu Immunizations are More Important than Ever this Year
Don’t wait. Protect yourself and your family. According to the Los Angeles Department of Public Health, everyone 6 months and older should receive a flu immunization, especially:
Pregnant women of if you just had a baby
Children 5 years and older
Aging adults 65 years and older
People with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, or weakened immune systems)
10/20/2021, 12 PM – 3 PM at the Culver City Julian Dixon Library (4975 Overland Ave.)
11/10/2021, 9 AM – 12 PM at the Veterans Memorial Building (4117 Overland Ave.)
11/16/2021, 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM at Mar Vista Gardens (4909 Marionwood Dr.)
9. COVID-19 Counts in Culver City and LA County
The City of Culver City mourns the loss of our residents who have passed away, which sadly includes the passing of residents due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The County of Los Angeles Public Health Department tracks COVID-19 cases and deaths of County residents.
Case and Death Counts – as of October 13, 2021
Cases in Culver City – 2,902
Deaths in Culver City – 114
Cases in LA County – 1,005 new cases (1,473,410 cases to date)
Deaths in LA County – 17 new deaths (26,353 deaths to date)
There are 684 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized in LA County and 26% of these people are in the intensive care unit. Testing results are available for more than 8,820,000 individuals with 15% of people testing positive. Today’s daily positivity rate is 1.0%. View additional COVID-19 metrics on the LA County COVID-19 Surveillance Dashboard and the COVID-19 Cases and Deaths by City/Community table.
We want you to know that we are here for you. If you or another Culver City resident would like a check-in call for a quick chat, let us know. Our friendly City staff are making weekly phone calls to any residents 18 and older just to say “hi," see how you are doing, or offer information and resources. You don’t need a reason—we’ll call you. If you would like to sign-up for the weekly phone call program, give us a ring at (310) 253-6890 (Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM).
Questions? Call the Culver City Hotline
If you or someone you know has a non-emergency, non-medical need or question related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and you would like assistance, please email the City or call the City’s Coronavirus Hotline at (310) 253-6890 (Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM). If you email or leave a message at the Hotline after hours, please include your name, address, phone number, email address, and your need or question. In an emergency, please dial 9-1-1.