All beaches in Los Angeles County, including Malibu, ordered closed over July 4th weekend to prevent crowding amidst countywide increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.
The County of Los Angeles has ordered the full closure of all beaches countywide, including in the City of Malibu, from Friday, July 3, 12:01 AM through Monday, July 6 at 5:00 AM in order to prevent crowding over the holiday weekend, slow the spread of coronavirus and protect vulnerable people.
All beaches, beach parking lots, bike paths, piers and accessways will be fully closed. The full closure means that surfing, walking, jogging, kayaking, paddle-boarding or any other recreational activities or gatherings are prohibited at any state or county beach. The new County Order also prohibits all private and public fireworks countywide, until further notice. See the County Order.
“I know it is difficult to not be able to celebrate holidays like 4th of July and the summer season by enjoying our beautiful beaches, but health and safety come first, and the coronavirus continues to kill and hospitalize thousands of Americans,” Mayor Karen Farrer said. “I urge everyone, wherever they live, to follow the public health officials’ advice and continue to practice physical distancing and especially, wear face coverings at all times while outside the home."
The order comes amidst heightened concerns about the sharp countywide increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, key metrics that inform the state and county recovery roadmaps, that follow the reopening of sectors including bars.
Key metrics continue to show steep increases in community spread of COVID-19. On June 29, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LADPH) announced more than 2,900 new cases of COVID-19, the single largest one-day case count since the pandemic began. Data show increases in people testing positive for the virus and increases in hospitalizations as a result. Projections by the Department of Health Services show a marked increase in hospitalizations in the coming weeks, which could cause a surge in our healthcare system. For more County COVID-19 statistics, see the press release.
As with previous beach closures during the pandemic, Malibu City Manager Reva Feldman coordinated with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, LA County Department of Public Health, LA County Beaches and Harbors and California State Parks to close beach parking lots, ramp up patrols on PCH and canyon roads and parking enforcement to keep Malibu safe over the holiday weekend.
The City Manager requested additional patrols and parking enforcement by Sheriff’s Deputies and the Sheriff’s Volunteers on Patrol (VOPs). The City Public Works Department is coordinating with Caltrans on temporary no-parking restrictions and signs at key beach locations along PCH. Deputies with the Malibu/Lost Hills Station Summer Beach Team will be patrolling the beaches throughout the weekend and late into the evenings.
The City is conducting widespread outreach about the holiday beach closures using the City’s website, e-notifications, social media, press releases, radio and video public service announcements (PSAs). If necessary, the City will use Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), which sends messages to all cell phones within range of Malibu area cell towers and will reach out-of-area visitors in Malibu regardless of subscriptions.
For more information about the holiday beach closures, visit the County COVID-19 page.
For more coronavirus public health and safety information, statistics, and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), visit the Department of Public Health website.
For ongoing information about beach openings and closures, visit the Los Angeles County Beaches and Harbors beach page.