COVID-19 Info

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health – COVID-19: Reducing Risk

Understanding how the COVID-19 virus is spread is important. It will help you to assess your risk and take steps to protect yourself in different situations.

The virus spreads from person to person through respiratory droplets and tiny particles that are released into the air from the mouth and nose of a person who has COVID-19. These droplets/particles are then breathed in by other people or land on their eyes, nose, or mouth. A person’s risk of getting infected goes up the closer they are to someone with COVID-19. This is especially true if the infected person is speaking, singing, coughing, shouting, sneezing, or breathing heavily. Their risk is also higher if they are in an enclosed space with poor air flow. This is because the droplets that have the virus can concentrate and spread in the air. They can even stay floating in the air for several hours after an infected person has left the room if there is poor air flow. This is why masks are important. They lower the number of respiratory droplets people release into the air AND also the number that they breathe in. It is also possible, but less common, for the virus to spread by touching a surface with droplets on it and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.

To learn more, visit http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/acd/ncorona2019/reducingrisk/. 

To view case rates of the City of Santa Clarita and surrounding cities, visit  http://dashboard.publichealth.lacounty.gov/covid19_surveillance_dashboard/ 

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Update – July 28, 2022

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For more information, visit ph.lacounty.gov/masks 

COVID-19 Isolation and Quarantine Guidelines

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Residents and businesses may learn more about current guidelines for COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation by monitoring the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health website.

Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests

Households can now order 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests from the Federal Government by visiting https://www.covidtests.gov/. Tests are completely free and usually ship within 7-12 days. Residents only need to enter their address to claim their tests and 4 tests will be sent per address.

Los Angeles County Health Officer Order Update – Effective on April 22, 2022

Masking will continue to be strongly recommended, but no longer be required, in most indoor settings and in K-12 Schools or childcare facilities. Masking will continue to be required for all persons, regardless of vaccination status, in higher transmission risk settings within the County, like on public transit and in transportation hubs, all health care settings, correctional facilities and detention centers, emergency shelters, cooling and heating centers, homeless shelters, and long term care settings and adult and senior care centers. 

Read the full Health Order Update for Los Angeles County here.

Los Angeles County Health Officer Order Update – Effective on January 6, 2022

As cases continue to surge as a result of the increased circulation of the highly transmissible Omicron variant, Public Health has modified its Health Officer Order to include additional safety measures to reduce transmission risks knowing that vaccinations alone are not sufficient to prevent spread of Omicron. As soon as possible, but no later than January 17th, employers are required to provide their employees who work indoors in close contact with others with well-fitting medical grade masks, surgical masks, or higher-level respirators, such as N95 or KN95 masks. These upgraded masks are better at blocking virus particles from going through the mask.

The new modifications include an alignment with the State Public Health Officer Order changing attendance thresholds at mega events; for outdoor mega events, the new attendance threshold has been lowered to 5,000 attendees, and for indoor mega events, the new threshold is 500 attendees. Operators of mega events, performance venues, movie theaters, and entertainment venues are responsible for the messaging, signage, and compliance of masking requirements unless spectators or customers are actively eating or drinking. Additionally, Public Health recommends that food and drink be consumed in designated dining areas.

Lastly, food and drinks are prohibited at card room gaming tables and masks must always be worn while indoors at card rooms, except for when actively eating or drinking in designated dining areas.

These modifications recognize the importance of wearing well-fitting, high-quality masks that do the best job filtering out virus when in close contact with others.

Read the full Health Order Update for Los Angeles County here.

Los Angeles County Health Officer Order Update – Effective on December 31, 2021

To lessen the severity of the Omicron and Delta variant surge in Los Angeles County and protect against overwhelming the health care system, changes have been made to the current Order:

  • Isolation and Quarantine Requirments are revised to mainly align with the State Public Health Officer’s revised Guidance for Local Health Jurisdictions on Isolation and Quarantine of the General Public.
  • As soon as practicable, employers should provide and require employees to wear a well-fitting medical grade mask, surgical mask or higher-level respirator approved by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), such as an N95 filtering facepiece respirator, at all times while indoors at the worksite or facility.

Read the full Health Order update for Los Angeles County here.

 

Los Angeles County Health Officer Order Update – Effective on October 7, 2021

Beginning October 7, 2021, all attendees, ages 12 and over at Outdoor Mega Events involving 10,000 or more persons must, prior to entry, show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 or a pre-entry negative COVID-19 (diagnostic) test result. Self-attestation is not a permitted method for verification of vaccination or test result.

Additionally, effective October 7, 2021, bars, breweries, wineries, distilleries, nightclubs and lounges for indoor service and operations are required to verify the COVID-19 vaccination status of their patrons and employees.

The County Health Officer strongly recommends that beginning October 7, 2021, that the operators of all restaurants and food facilities reserve and prioritize indoor seating/service for those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Read the full Health Order update for Los Angeles County here.

 

CA COVID-19 Rent Relief Program: Now Covering 100% of Rent and Utilities for Income-Eligible Renters and Landlords

The State of California has increased funding for income-eligible renters and their landlords who have been impacted by COVID-19 to cover 100% of unpaid and future rent or utilities. This increase in rental assistance payments to 100% of unpaid rent will help make landlords whole and keep tenants housed. You can verify your eligibility for the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program and apply immediately by visiting HousingIsKey.com, or by calling (833) 430-2122. Additionally, if you are an applicant who has already received funding through the program, you will be compensated the difference to receive 100% coverage – there is no need to re-apply.

California’s critical eviction protections have also been extended for renters impacted by COVID-19, through September 30, 2021, to help keep vulnerable families housed.

WHO CAN APPLY?
Renters: If you are an income-eligible renter, you can apply on your own and receive financial assistance for unpaid rent, dating back to April 1, 2020, or help with future payments, even if your landlord doesn’t participate.
If you are an income-eligible renter whose landlord does participate in the program, you will need to complete the joint application. Once your landlord applies, you will be notified to submit information to complete the application process.
Landlords: If you are a landlord and participate in the COVID-19 Rent Relief program, you can get reimbursed directly for 100% of your eligible renters’ unpaid rent, dating back to April 1, 2020.

WHAT HELP CAN YOU GET?
Assistance is available for 100% of unpaid rent and utilities, dating back to April 1, 2020, as well as future rent and utility payments. Utility payments will be paid directly to utility providers at 100% of cost, but are limited to a total of 12 months.

Learn more by visiting HousingIsKey.com or by calling (833) 430-2122.

 

DHS Announces Extension of REAL ID Full Enforcement Deadline

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is extending the REAL ID full enforcement date by 19 months, from October 1, 2021 to May 3, 2023, due to circumstances resulting from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Beginning May 3, 2023, every air traveler 18 years of age and older will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card, state-issued enhanced driver’s license, or another TSA-acceptable form of identification at airport security checkpoints for domestic air travel.  

For more information on REAL ID, visit www.dhs.gov/real-id.