REGIONAL MESSAGE ON COVID-19 THREAT ALERT SOUTHBAY CITIES
JOINT INFORMATION CENTER
KEY MESSAGES
TRAVEL QUARANTINE REQUIREMENTS
If you travel into Los Angeles County from outside California, you need to self-quarantine for ten days after you arrive. You must also limit your interactions to people only in your household with whom you live. If you travel into Los Angeles County solely for essential work purposes, you need to still self-quarantine outside of your work for ten days and ensure you do not mix with others outside of those necessary to conduct your essential work. The County of Los Angeles is issuing the following guidance for travelers:
Non-Essential Travel: Los Angeles County residents should continue to avoid all non-essential travel and stay within 120 miles from their place of residence unless they are traveling for essential purposes. "Non-essential travel" includes travel that is considered tourism or recreational. "Essential travel" is travel associated with the operation, maintenance, or usage of critical infrastructure or otherwise required or expressly authorized by law (including other applicable state and local public health directives), work and study, critical infrastructure support, financial services, and supply chains, health, immediate medical care, and safety and security.
All persons arriving or returning to the County of Los Angeles from other states or countries must self-quarantine for ten days after arrival, except as necessary to meet urgent critical healthcare staffing needs or otherwise engage in emergency response. Additionally, this does not apply to individuals who routinely cross state or country borders solely for essential travel.
Guidance on Safer Essential Travel
If you routinely cross state or country borders for essential travel, you must still comply with all requirements related to wearing face coverings and maintaining physical distancing to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. Upon returning from essential travel outside of California, you are strongly encouraged to self-quarantine if you engaged in any of the following activities that place you at a higher risk of contracting the virus that causes COVID-19:
You interacted for more than 15 minutes within six feet of someone outside your household when you or the other people around you were not wearing a face covering at all times;
You were indoors, including on a shared conveyance, such as a plane, train, or bus, and either you or those around you were not wearing face coverings at all times; or
You interacted for more than 15 minutes within six feet of someone—either with or without a face covering—who was experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or who began to experience symptoms of COVID-19 within 48 hours of your interaction with them.
If you MUST travel, plan:
Know how widespread COVID-19 is in the area you must travel to. For cases in the last seven days by state, see https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#cases_casesper100klast7days. For the risk assessment level for COVID-19 by country, see https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/map-and-travel-notices.html.
Find out where you can be tested if you develop symptoms of COVID-19 during your trip. For a list of symptoms, see http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/about-covid.htm.
People at high risk of severe COVID-19 should be cautious about traveling, including:
Older people smoke or are overweight.
Pregnant women
People with certain medical conditions like diabetes, heart problems, COPD, cancer, weakened immune systems, and sickle cell disease. See CDC webpage on People at Increased Risk for more information on who is at high risk of severe COVID-19.
Avoid travel to the extent possible if you will be traveling with someone who cannot wear a mask consistently, including children under two years old who should not be wearing face masks due to the risk of suffocation. To read the complete Travel Advisory, please click here.
SUPERBOWL TIPS: AVOID GATHERINGS
While case numbers have continued to decrease, we still see unprecedented death rates. The case counts indicate COVID-19 is still circulating at rapid speed in our communities. The best way to protect yourself and limit your exposure and exposure to others is NOT to gather. We understand what is being asked of everyone, and we know our communities are weary. Still, to continue the downward trend, we must continue to be vigilant and keep our circles small. This means:
No more than three or more households may gather;
Small gatherings must be outside with face coverings and maintaining physical distancing of at least 6 feet.
Additionally, last Friday, the revised Health Officer Order prohibits bars and restaurants from having TVs turned on, so watching at local restaurants and bars is not an option this year.
VACCINE INFORMATION
LA County is now vaccinating Phase 1A and Phase B Tier 1. This includes:
Healthcare workers (HCWs) at high and moderate risk exposure to the COVID-19 virus through their work in any role in health care or long-term care settings. High and moderate risk means the HCW has direct or indirect contact with patients or infectious materials (Phase 1A)
Long-term care facility residents (Phase 1A)
Persons age 65 and over (Phase 1B Tier 1)
Note: Low-risk healthcare workers such as administrative support staff without frequent in-person patient contact will be offered vaccination in Phase 1B Tier 2. Veterinary Medical Personnel will be offered vaccination in Phase 1B.
Vaccine supply is still extremely limited. We urge patience as we work urgently with our federal and state partners to expand capacity and supply in the weeks ahead.
How to Make an Appointment
You can make an appointment to be vaccinated by clicking here if you are in one of the groups listed above. Residents who don’t have computer access may call (833) 540-0473 between 8 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. or 2-1-1 for assistance with appointments.
DO NOT REGISTER FOR AN APPOINTMENT IF YOU ARE NOT IN AN ELIGIBLE GROUP. Doing so will take an appointment slot away from those at the highest risk, and you will be turned away without proper documentation of your eligibility.
Second Dose Information
If you have already received your first COVID-19 vaccine dose, you are guaranteed a second dose. Most individuals will receive their second dose at the same site where they received their first dose. Many individuals vaccinated at a County Megapod received the date and location of their second dose appointment on their vaccination card.
If you received the Pfizer Vaccine, it would be 21 days after your first dose.
If you received the Moderna Vaccine, it would be 28 days after your first dose.
All that residents will need to do is confirm the time that works for them via a registration link emailed to them. For individuals who were vaccinated at the dozens of other sites across the county, including pharmacies, health centers, and city clinics, please contact the provider or location where you were vaccinated to receive information confirming your second dose appointment.
Vaccinations are free and available to all, regardless of immigration status or insurance coverage. For those who have insurance, coverage information may be requested as part of the appointment scheduling process.
To find out when you will be eligible for a vaccine appointment, please click here.
You can also sign-up to receive the vaccine newsletter from the LA County Department of Public Health by clicking here.
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