As of 8/3/2020

2020 SANTA CLARITA MARATHON CANCELED

Due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and related public health concerns for runners, spectators, volunteers, staff and event partners, the 2020 Santa Clarita Marathon, presented by Parkway Motorcars, has been canceled. All registered runners will be issued a full refund to their original form of payment.

For more information about the cancellation of the 2020 Santa Clarita Marathon, please contact the City of Santa Clarita’s Arts and Events division at (661) 250-3787 or aeo@santa-clarita.com.

As of 6/18/2020

IT’S TIME TO SHOP LOCAL

A significant factor in getting the City of Santa Clarita back to normal after the effects of COVID-19 is the support and success of our local businesses. With your business now being safely reopened, help build community confidence by taking our Santa Clarita Safer Business Commitment.
Our business commits to follow the latest safety guidelines and best practices, as issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to continue slowing the spread of COVID-19, including:

– Use of Face Coverings
– Practicing Physical Distancing
– Conducting Temperature Checks on Employees
– Providing Hand Sanitizer
– Intensifying Cleaning and Disinfection
– Implementing Contactless Payment When Possible
– Providing General COVID-19 Awareness Training for Employees
– Ensuring Employees, Customers and Vendors Stay Home When Feeling Ill

Both employees and customers can be confident that this business is committed to their health and well-being.

Calling all local businesses to make the commitment TODAY!

As of 6/10/2020

COUNTY GIVES GREEN LIGHT FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION, CAMPS, MUSEUMS

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health announced on Wednesday, June 10 that the following business types are able to reopen throughout the County beginning Friday, June 12:

• Gyms and Fitness Facilities
• Pro League Arenas w/o Live Audiences
• Day Camps
• Museums, Galleries, Zoos and Aquariums
• Campgrounds, RV Parks and Outdoor Recreation (including Swimming Pools)
• Music, Film and TV Production
• Hotels, Lodging and Short-Term Rentals for Leisure/Travel

STATE TO REOPEN SCHOOLS, DAY CAMPS, BARS, GYMS, PROFESSIONAL SPORTS

The State of California announced Friday, June 5 that it will allow schools, day camps, bars, gyms and professional sports with modifications to begin reopening on Friday, June 12. Guidance for these sectors to reopen have not been made available as of 2:15 p.m. on June 5.

Nail salons will not be included in the list of businesses to reopen at this time. For more information on the protocols for these businesses, please visit the State of California’s coronavirus website, as well as the Los Angeles County coronavirus website.

As of 5/26/2020

LA COUNTY REOPENS IN-STORE SHOPPING, HOUSES OF WORSHIP

On Tuesday, May 26, Los Angeles County announced the reopening of additional businesses and public areas, effective immediately. Updates to the County’s Safer at Home order include:

• Faith-based organizations may resume services, with the number of congregants limited to less than 25% of the building’s capacity, or a maximum of 100 people, whichever is lower.
• All retail, including those located in indoor and outdoor retail shopping centers may now open for business at 50% capacity.
• Flea markets, swap meets and drive-in movie theaters may resume operations.
• Pools, hot tubs and saunas that are in a multi-unit residence or part of a homeowners association may now open.

For more information, including the text of the revised Public Health Order, please visit Los Angeles County’s coronavirus website.

As of 5/22/2020

LA COUNTY ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL REOPENINGS

Ahead of Memorial Day weekend, Los Angeles County announced that additional businesses and amenities may reopen. As of Friday, May 22, the following changes are now in effect:

• Beach bike paths and parking lots are now open. County beaches remain open for active use only and beachgoers must follow safety protocols announced by the County on May 13. These safety protocols can be found on the County’s coronavirus website.
• Indoor shopping malls may now be open for curbside service only. Retailers located within an indoor shopping mall may take orders from the public and deliver goods to the public outside the mall at a designated pickup location.
• Car parades are now allowed so that graduations, birthdays and other special achievements may be safely celebrated. As more locations plan car parades – such as those at schools for families and students to drive through – the County has laid out precautions to enhance safety for all involved. Car parade safety precautions can be found on the County’s coronavirus website.

 

As of 5/20/2020

College of the Canyons to Continue Remote Instruction Through Fall 2020

To provide as little of a disruption as possible for students faculty and staff, College of the Canyons has announced that the fall 2020 semester will be primarily remote and online. The college expects to offer more than 1,800 courses, as well as over 800 courses over the summer. The college’s decision was made after extensive consultation with health experts and collaboration with faculty members, classified staff, Incident Command Staff, and the college’s COVID-19 Task Force. For more updates and information, please monitor the college’s webpage and social media accounts.

As of 5/15/2020

City Hall to Reopen on Monday 

On Monday, May 18, 2020, the City of Santa Clarita will welcome residents into City Hall to access City Services, including those available through the Permit Center, City Clerk’s Office, Film Permit Office, Human Resources and other City functions. Residents will be required to:

• Wear a mask
• Avoid physical contact (handshakes)
• Maintain social distancing
• Not enter City Hall if feeling ill

City Hall has been closed since March 13, 2020, when the Safer at Home orders were issued, with an exception for permit and planning appointments. Over the last two months, the City has continued to provide essential services to the community.

“Our City staff continues to be dedicated to quality customer service during these uncertain times,” said City Manager Ken Striplin. “We look forward to assisting our residents in person, but want to remind the community that City services are also available online.”

Residents are encouraged to go online before visiting City Hall to make an appointment or to access City services, like the online permit center at santa-clarita.com/permitcenter. Bus passes will NOT be sold at City Hall as Santa Clarita Transit is currently offering FREE rides to all passengers. EZ Transit Passes and Stored Value may be loaded at taptogo.net, or at the Santa Clarita Transit Maintenance Facility located at 28250 Constellation Road between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

When visiting CityHall, residents will enter through the main entrance on Valencia Boulevard near the fountain. They will be greeted by a City staffer who will check them in and direct them to the appropriate office, or to the Council Chambers where they can wait to be called for their appointment while maintaining social distancing. Signage will remind visitors to wear masks and maintain six-feet of space from other residents and City staff.

“The health and safety of our residents and employees is our top priority,” said Striplin. “In addition to these safety measures, we have also increased daily sanitation and cleaning protocols in City Hall. The facility will continue to be cleaned each evening, and high-traffic areas will be disinfected throughout the day.”

High-touch areas that will be cleaned throughout the day include doorknobs, light switches, desks, phones, tables, handrails, stairwells and elevator controls.

Other safety measures include new signs clearly laying out protocols, the installation of hand sanitizing dispensers and plexiglass barriers to protect employees and visitors from the spread of germs. Specifically, information on the new signage will include:

• Signs at entrances to City facilities discouraging handshakes and encouraging social distance, bringing attention to adhesives on flooring and mask requirements in City facilities.
• Signs directing patron traffic through City facilities, including limiting the number of patrons at any one time.
• Signs in breakrooms about hygiene and wiping down before and after eating.
• Signs in restrooms regarding hygiene and hand-washing.
• Signs at public counters, hallways and elevators regarding social distancing and mask-wearing.
• Temporary plexiglass partitions at public counters.

Visitors are required to wear face coverings in City Hall, as well as when entering local businesses and at any time when they may come in contact with people outside of their family unit. Masks are NOT required to be worn on trails, paseos, at parks or while outside exercising. However, residents should have a mask with them at all times in case they come in close contact with another person.

In addition to the virtual storytimes and performances at The MAIN, City staff has been busy creating alternative programming and services for our residents to allow for activity and learning opportunities. The next edition of Seasons magazine will be released in an online format only, the beginning of June, and will highlight these alternative programs.

To schedule an appointment to access City services, please visit santa-clarita.com or call (661) 259-CITY.

Hearts for Heroes 5/6/2020

Shining a Light on our Essential Workers on National Nurses Day – Hearts for Heroes 

On Wednesday, May 6, 2020 the Santa Clarita City Council, along with executives at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital and public safety officials, showed support for the community’s medical workers in a celebration of National Nurses Day. During the evening shift change, the City Council and Illumination Dynamics, projected the City of Santa Clarita’s “Hearts for Heroes” initiative logo on the side of the hospital’s new patient tower.

The projection of the “Hearts for Heroes” logo serves as a visual reminder of the support and gratitude Santa Clarita residents have for all who work at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital. The projection will be displayed nightly over the next month.
Residents are encouraged to decorate their own “Hearts for Heroes” by downloading the template at santa-clarita.com/HeartsforHeroes and sharing their completed projects on social media by using #HeartsforHeroes.

---

As of May 5, 2020

City of Santa Clarita Park Restrooms and Tennis Courts Reopen

The City of Santa Clarita is reopening park restrooms and tennis courts at City parks. The playgrounds and dog parks remain closed. Residents are encouraged to practice social distancing and wear face coverings when distancing is not possible.

As of April 21, 2020

Donation to Bridge to Home

On Tuesday, April 21 the Santa Clarita City Council donated masks, gloves, sanitizing wipes and water to Bridge to Home at their temporary location at the Newhall Community Center. Bridge to Home is the primary homeless services provider in the Santa Clarita Valley. They normally operate a 60 bed shelter out of their Drayton Street facility, but due to the need for social distancing, they are now at the Newhall Community Center. These donations are crucial as the homeless population is considered at high-risk for being infected with the coronavirus.

---

As of April 20, 2020

Update on Spring Recreation and Community Services Programming

All Recreation and Community Services Spring programming offered through Seasons Magazine, which includes Youth and Adult Sports practices and competitions and contract classes, have been canceled. Refunds will be issued back to the original form of payment. Participants will receive email confirmation when their refund has been processed. For questions on contract classes please call (661) 250-3715.

---

As of April 15, 2020

Donation to Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital

On Wednesday, April 15, 2020 the Santa Clarita City Council donated 1,000 N95 masks, bottled water, personal protection equipment and other vital resources to Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital. The City teamed up with Wolf Creek to provide lunch to the Emergency Department. The City also coordinated with Illumination Dynamics to provide a much needed generator to the Hospital. Please help support our healthcare heroes by decorating your own #HeartsForHeroes.

---

As of April 13, 2020

Students Can Get Three Free Meals a Day

BIG NEWS! School Day Cafe is extending free drive-up meal service for kids. Starting next Monday, they will be handing out dinner boxes at several locations at the same time as they hand out breakfast and lunch.

As of April 10, 2020

Restrictions Extended and Masks/Face Coverings Required

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health extended the current health order through May 15, 2020. This means that non-essential businesses must remain closed and social distancing must be maintained through May 15. In addition, all essential service workers and residents utilizing essential businesses must wear fabric face coverings. Read the press release from the County here.

As of April 9, 2020

Show your Appreciation for Essential Workers during COVID-19 Pandemic

The City of Santa Clarita, and our local partners, invite the community to take part in a virtual campaign thanking the essential workers who are providing services during the COVID-19 pandemic. #HeartsForHeroes gives Santa Clarita residents a chance to design a heart, display it and post their message of gratitude on social media, which will then be shared with our essential workers.

How it Works

You can either download the heart template here or design your own heart with whatever supplies you have available at home. Then display your heart either on your door, window, lawn or car. Please take a photo or video of yourself with your heart art and post to social media using #HeartsForHeroes. These posts will then be collected and displayed at different locations for our essential workers to see, including on screens throughout Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital.

Besides displaying the posts for our medical professionals, posts will also be shared with our deputies, firefighters, grocery store employees, mail carriers, trash collectors, bus drivers, local media and all of the other essential workers who continue to provide services during this pandemic. The goal is to fill our City with visual signs of love and support.

As of April 8, 2020

Drive-up Testing Opens in Santa Clarita

A drive-up mobile test site has been set up at College of the Canyons’ Valencia Campus. However, you must have an appointment to get tested and be considered high risk. High risk individuals include those who are 65 and older; and/or have underlying health conditions including:

• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Hypertension
• Chronic lung disease
• Moderate to severe asthma; or,
• People who are immunocompromised, including as a result of cancer treatment
• Los Angeles County residents are also prioritized for testing if they are subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine period because they have been exposed to an individual with a confirmed case of COVID-19 and have more than 7 days of the 2-week quarantine period remaining.

To see if you are eligible for a test, you can go to the screening website at Coronavirus.LACounty.org/testing. If you do not have access to a computer and feel you meet the criteria, you can call 2-1-1, where operators can assist you with registration. If you are eligible, you will then receive a registration number and an appointment time.

As of April 5, 2020

Drive-up Mobile Testing Site for COVID-19 to Open in Santa Clarita this Week

L.A. County is quickly ramping up and adding more COVID-19 drive-up mobile testing sites to serve all residents of our communities. New sites are planned to open this week at Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital as well as in East Los Angeles and Santa Clarita. In addition, the County is in discussions with AltaMed to bring several urgent care facilities into the County’s testing network in underserved areas.

The County and City of LA currently offer multiple drive-up mobile testing sites. For a full list of locations and answers to questions about testing, go to covid19.lacounty.gov/testing.

As of April 3, 2020

Santa Clarita Transit will Transition to Sunday Schedule Seven Days a Week

The City of Santa Clarita announces as of tomorrow, Saturday, April 4, 2020, Santa Clarita Transit will be implementing a local Sunday schedule seven days a week. The reduction in service comes as ridership has decreased significantly since the “Safer at Home” order took effect on Friday, March 20.

Due to the low number of riders, the decreased number of operators and in an effort to encourage residents who are not essential workers to remain home, Santa Clarita Transit will be implementing a local Sunday schedule seven days per week. This reduced local bus schedule will take effect Saturday, April 4.

The commuter schedule will remain consistent with the changes that took place on Friday, March 30; however, there is one additional change impacting Route 757 from Santa Clarita to the North Hollywood Redline station. Effective Monday, April 6, the following weekday round trips departing from Santa Clarita on Route 757 will be suspended: 5:10a, 5:42p, 6:05a, 6:09a, 7:32a, 9:32a, 7:25p, 7:55p, 8:22p and 9:21p. The following weekday round trips departing from Santa Clarita on Route 757 will remain in service: 5:33a, 7:00a, 8:03a, 8:42a, 10:08a, 11:03a, 11:35a, 12:31p, 1:02p, 2:02p, 2:33p, 3:33p, 4:04p, 4:30p, 5:10p, 5:48p, 6:18p and 6:47p.

In light of growing concerns, Santa Clarita Transit has implemented several measures to ensure the safety of our operations. Local transit vehicles are currently being utilized for Route 757, which will allow riders to board through the rear doors and limit contact with the bus operators. In addition, Santa Clarita Transit is sectioning off every other row of seats and posting signs encouraging riders to maintain a minimum distance of six feet from one another.

Enhanced cleanings of the entire fleet with hospital-grade disinfectant also continue to be performed at the end of each day.
For more on the new bus schedules, please visit SantaClaritaTransit.com. For information on the coronavirus pandemic here in the Santa Clarita Valley, please visit SantaClaritaEmergency.com.

As of April 2, 2020

As of March 31, 2020

URGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA TEMPORARILY PROHIBITING EVICTIONS OF RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL TENANTS ARISING FROM FINANCIAL IMPACTS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

This moratorium ordinance prohibits evictions of residential and commercial tenants due to non-payment of rent during the period of the moratorium ordinance. To mirror the County’s order on evictions, the ordinance will be retroactive to March 4, 2020, and the moratorium will remain in effect through the term of the Governor’s Executive Order on the subject-through May 31, 2020, unless further extended by the Governor. After that time, a tenant would have six months to pay the delinquent amount of rent, in addition to any then currently due rent. Read the ordinance here.

Statement from MV Transportation regarding employees serving Santa Clarita Transit who tested positive for COVID-19

• On Tuesday, March 31, MV Transportation was notified that two of its Commuter operators supporting the City of Santa Clarita Transit tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19).  MV is the independent contractor for Santa Clarita’s transit services. 
• One of the employees, who sadly passed away the same day, last worked Friday, March 27, when driving commuter trips to North Hollywood and Warner Center.  The driver became ill on Saturday, March 28, and subsequently was hospitalized.  The second employee also last worked Friday, March 27, driving commuter trips to North Hollywood and Warner Center. 
• These two positive tests come one day after another MV worker supporting Santa Clarita tested positive for COVID-19.  This employee, also a Commuter operator, has not driven a City bus since March 17.
• MV has notified employees who were in close contact with these individuals and those employees have been asked to self-quarantine for 14 days.  Additionally, all vehicles driven by these individuals, workspaces, and other areas of the operation have received a deep cleaning.
• The safety and wellbeing of passengers and employees is the foremost consideration of both MV and Santa Clarita Transit.  To that end, we have implemented enhanced cleaning protocols to include daily cleaning of vehicles with an extra-strength, hospital-grade disinfectant that has been proven to be effective against COVID-19.  Surfaces that customers and staff come into contact with, including but not limited to seats, seatbelts, seat frames, stanchions, doors, bus interior surfaces, wheel chairlifts and controls, floors and the driver’s area are regularly cleaned.  This same cleaner is used within transit facilities.
• We are not sharing personally identifiable information out of respect for our colleague’s privacy and in keeping with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) protections.  We will not announce every new illness or positive employee diagnosis since that could lead to individuals being identified and could cause other spaces to be mistakenly seen as being without risk.  Additionally, if employees fear their privacy will be compromised, they may not seek needed medical care, which hinders the ability of public health officials to respond.

As of March 30, 2020

Participate in Tuesday Evening’s City Council Meeting via Teleconferencing

Building and Safety Online Permit Center – eService Instructional Video

The City of Santa Clarita’s Building and Safety division is available to assist residents with permit applications and more online. To guide residents and builders through the process of applying for permits and submitting forms and other materials, the City has developed the above instructional video.

As of March 27, 2020

Bus Service Reduction

In response to the Safer at Home order, Santa Clarita Transit has experienced significant decreases in ridership aboard the City’s commuter bus services to Century City, Downtown Los Angeles and Warner Center. In an effort to balance the reduced need for public transit with the necessary service for passengers traveling to essential employment, Santa Clarita Transit has reduced the number of trips operating outside Santa Clarita. Please make sure to check SantaClaritaTransit.com to confirm routes. The City has taken extra safety precautions during this pandemic by sectioning off every other row of seats and posting social distancing messaging on all buses. Several weeks ago, we also implemented an enhanced extensive daily cleaning schedule of the entire transit fleet.

As of March 25, 2020

How to Help during the Coronavirus Pandemic

Los Angeles County officials encourage members of the public who want to help those in the community experiencing hardships to make monetary contributions to reputable non-profit organizations or to the funds listed below, which are supporting COVID-19 disaster efforts.

• Support the California Community Foundation’s Covid-19 LA County Response Fund

The California Community Foundation launched the COVID-19 LA County Response Fund, which supports community needs identified by our partners in health, housing, education and immigration.

• Support the United Way’s Pandemic Relief Fund

United Way of Greater Los Angeles’ Pandemic Relief Fund supports L.A. County’s unsheltered residents who are especially vulnerable to the coronavirus, and low-income individuals, students and families at imminent risk of homelessness and hardships due to health and economic impacts of coronavirus.

• Support other nonprofits

Philanthropy California’s disaster resilience team is coordinating with state agencies and partners to respond to the impacts of COVID-19/Coronavirus. You can search for Los Angeles County non-profits through this site.

• American Red Cross

Give a financial gift or life saving blood.

Make an impact on the lives of Los Angeles County’s residents and contribute today.

As of March 24, 2020

City of Santa Clarita Trails Remain Open

The City of Santa Clarita hiking trails are still open for hikers who are maintaining social distancing. There has been confusion as the City of Los Angeles and the County of Los Angeles have closed their trails. Please be responsible and keep health recommendations in mind whenever using City parks or trails. For a list of City of Santa Clarita trails please visit HikeSantaClarita.com.

As of March 23, 2020

CITY OF SANTA CLARITA ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS AND CLOSURES AT PARKS

The City of Santa Clarita is announcing additional closures at City parks to ensure the necessary social distancing to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Effective tomorrow, Tuesday, March 24, 2020, the following park amenities will be closed throughout the City:

• Basketball Courts
• Tennis/Pickleball Courts
• Dog Parks
• Park Restrooms

“It was disappointing to see the number of people who were not following the social distancing orders that are in place to protect our community,” said Mayor Cameron Smyth. “In order to stop the group recreation that many have witnessed at our City parks, it is necessary to add these additional restrictions. We continue to work to balance the needs of the community with the essential safety measures that must be taken at this time.”

City amenities that are still open include:

• All sports fields at parks
• All trails
• All open space and trailheads

Residents who are utilizing City parks and trails must practice six feet of social distancing.

As of March 22, 2020

SCV Chamber of Commerce Offers Two Business Webinars

The SCV Chamber has two upcoming webinars this week regarding COVID-19 to provide vital information to local businesses.

Monday, March 23, 2020 | 1:00 PM
Cybersecurity: Protect Your Business When Working Remote

Tuesday, March 24, 2020 | 1:00 PM
Legal & HR: Employment Decisions in the Face of COVID-19

Register here: https://www.scvchamber.com/event_list

As of March 21, 2020

Los Angeles County Announces Additional Restrictions

Effective immediately on March 21, 2020 and continuing through April 19, 2020, all public and private group events and gatherings are prohibited anywhere within the Los Angeles County Public Health Jurisdiction. All persons are to remain in their homes or at their place of residence, except to travel to and from Essential Businesses, to work at or provide service to a Healthcare Operation or Essential Infrastructure, to engage in Essential Activities, or to participate in an individual or family outdoor activity, while practicing social distancing.

As of March 20, 2020

Santa Clarita School Districts Announce Closure Until May 5, 2020

Today all five of Santa Clarita’s school districts announced that the school closure due to the coronavirus would last until May 5, 2020. Here is the announcement from the Saugus Union School District.

As of March 19, 2020

Governor Gavin Newsom Issues Stay at Home Order

Today, Governor Gavin Newsom issued a stay at home order to protect the health and well-being of all Californians and to establish consistency across the state in order to slow the spread of COVID-19. To read the order please click here.

Los Angeles County Issues “Safer at Home” Order

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger has issued a “Safer at Home” order for all of Los Angeles County, including the City of Santa Clarita. The purpose of this order is to limit the gathering of persons and require the closure of malls, shopping centers, children’s playgrounds and non-essential retail businesses in an effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus in Los Angeles County. This order goes into effect tonight, March 19, 2020 at midnight. To read the entire order please click COVID-19_SaferAtHome_HealthOfficerOrder_20200319_Signed.

Westfield Valencia Town Center Temporarily Closes 

Note from Westfield Valencia Town Center – In response to the widespread COVID-19 outbreak and after carefully reviewing the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and public health authorities’ guidance to practice social distancing and minimize public gatherings, our center will join the collective fight against the COVID-19 outbreak and temporarily close the majority of its operations. Some retailers may still be open so that ‘essential’ retail remains in operation for customers.  While we will endeavor to reflect these store hours on this website, please confirm their hours directly.  If you have questions, please reach out to valencia@urw.com We encourage everyone to stay safe and look forward to reopening soon to support our community.

Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station Conducting Senior Welfare Checks

The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station continues to provide the public safety services our community depends on. Specialized teams are upping patrol checks of local retail establishments and businesses. The Crime Impact Team (CIT) deployed teams of deputies to check shopping center areas, particularly ones that sell grocery items, ‘to keep the peace’ —ensuring patrons safety. The Sheriff’s Station reminds residents to check on those who are most vulnerable to COVID-19—our elderly population. They urge you to call your neighbors, family members and make sure they’re OK, and that they have the necessities. If you have an elderly friend or family member in the area and you can’t get a hold of them, and you’re concerned, please call the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station at (661) 255-1121, and request a welfare check. Deputies would be more than happy to check on them.

As of March 18, 2020

New Cases Reported in L.A. County, Santa Clarita Number Holds at Three

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health confirmed 46 new cases of coronavirus today, for a total of 190. There are still only three positive cases reported from Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital. Because there are positive cases across the entire County, the public should not think one location is safer than the other.  Everyone should continue to practice social distancing and good public health hygiene.

As of March 17, 2020

Blood Drive – Urgent Need! 

The American Red Cross strongly urges healthy, eligible individuals who are feeling well to give blood or platelets to help maintain a sufficient blood supply and prevent shortages as concerns about the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, rise in the U.S. On Wednesday, March 18, from 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital will partner with the American Red Cross and host a blood drive at the Henry Mayo Education Center, located on the hospital campus at 23803 McBean Pkwy, Valencia, CA 91355. For more information please click here.

Local Restaurants Offering Take-Out or Curbside Service

feedSCV has created a web page listing Santa Clarita restaurants currently offering take-out or curbside service during the COVID-19 outbreak. To view the full list of restaurants please visit http://feedscv.org/covid-19-restaurant-tracker/

Disaster Loan Assistance

Those in need can now apply for Disaster Loan Assistance online through the U.S. Small Business Administration. These Federal Disaster Loans are available for businesses, private nonprofits, homeowners and renters. For more information please visit https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela

Los Angeles County Court Houses Closing for Three Days

In response to the substantial need to control and prevent the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Los Angeles County, Presiding Judge Kevin C. Brazile announced that, Tuesday March 17, 2020, every Los Angeles Superior Court courthouse and courtroom will be closed to the public from March 17-19, 2020, for a total of 3 court days. The Los Angeles Superior Court will reopen on Friday, March 20, 2020, for the limited purpose of hearing or handing essential or emergency matters, in Criminal, Civil, Probate, Family Law and Dependency/Juvenile cases.

Recommendations for Dental Offices

The California Dental Association strongly recommends that dentists practicing in California voluntarily suspend non-urgent or non-emergency dental care for the next 14 days. As always, it is expected that dentists will continue to be available as needed for emergency care and services. https://www.cda.org/Home/News-and-Events/COVID-19-coronavirus-Updates

As of March 16, 2020

LA County Announces Closure of Restaurants, Bars, Gyms and Theaters

Supervisor Kathyrn Barger announced this afternoon that the County of Los Angeles is ordering the full closure of all restaurants, except take out. The County is also ordering the full closures of entertainment facilities including movie theaters, gyms and bars. There are now 94 positive cases of coronavirus in Los Angeles County. Three of those were people who tested positive here in Santa Clarita.

Meals for Students

Santa Clarita Valley School Food Services Agency (School Day Café) will provide student meals to all children at any of the designated locations. You do not need to be an enrolled student in order to receive meals at any of these locations. One bagged/boxed lunch per child (18 years and younger) will be provided. For more information and a list of locations please click here.

As of March 15, 2020

Home Isolation for Seniors

The Governor of California has recommended those 65 and older, or vulnerable to #COVIDー19, must practice home isolation. Bars, night clubs, wineries and breweries should close throughout the state. Restaurants should focus on takeout services for those isolating. There have now been three positive cases of coronavirus for those tested at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital. 

As of March 14, 2020

Local Cases of Coronavirus

Today Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital reported the second local case of coronavirus here in the Santa Clarita Valley. There is a lot of concern and anxiety surrounding these local cases and who may have been exposed to coronavirus. Once a test is positive, the results are sent to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH). DPH then investigates the cases and notifies anyone who has been in close personal contact with these individuals, so they can then be assessed and monitored for the signs and symptoms of the illness. Confirmed cases are being isolated and those who have been in close contact with them are quarantined. Please know DPH will notify you if you have been in close contact with one of these confirmed cases. When you hear, read, or watch news about an outbreak of an infectious disease, it is normal to feel anxious and show signs of stress. For tips on what you can do to help cope, read “Coping with Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks” on the Public Health website. For help, call the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health Access Center 24/7 Helpline at (800) 854-7771 or call 2-1-1.

As of March 12, 2020

COVID-19 State of Emergency

On March 12, 2020, Governor Newsom issued an Executive Order in response to the COVID-19 State of Emergency. Pursuant to this Executive Order, through May 11th, the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) has the authority to assist individuals and businesses impacted by complying with a state or local public health official’s imposition or recommendation of social distancing measures related to COVID-19. This assistance includes granting extensions for filing returns and making payments, relief from interest and penalties, and filing a claim for refund.

Taxpayers may request assistance by contacting the CDTFA. Requests for relief of interest or penalties or requesting an extension for filing a return may be made through online services. Taxpayers may also request assistance in writing by sending a letter to the address below or by email. Or call the Customer Service Center at 800-400-7115. This includes assistance if you are unable to make a timely tax payment.

California Department of Tax and Fee Administration
Return Analysis Unit, MIC 35
PO Box 942879
Sacramento, CA 94279-0035