REGIONAL MESSAGE ON COVID-19 THREAT ALERT SOUTHBAY CITIES
JOINT INFORMATION CENTER
KEY MESSAGES
July 24, 2020
*All weekly regional messages can be found under the COVID-19 tab on the www.alertsouthbay.com homepage.
WHAT IS CONTACT TRACING?
Contract tracing is a simple, confidential process that has been used by public health departments for decades to slow the spread of infectious diseases and avoid outbreaks. Contract tracing is a useful tool as part of any containment plan to help slow the spread of COVID-19. You will be contacted by a contact tracer if:
You have tested positive for COVID-19, expect a contact tracer to contact you by phone to ask you about the places you have been, and the people you have been around while you were infectious.
The people you tell the contact tracer about will also be contacted, but will not be told your name or contact information. They will also be asked to stay home to help prevent others from getting sick.
You have been in contact with someone with COVID-19, expect a contact tracer to contact you by phone to ask you if you are experiencing any symptoms, have been tested, and asking about places that you may have visited.
To avoid you getting mixed up with another person, please provide contact tracers with complete and correct information.
Contact tracers will provide you with information on the next steps based on your responses. They may call you more than once to check how you are doing during your 14 days at home and provide you with information on how to find a doctor and access COVID-19 testing.
* If you think you need to be tested for COVID-19, please check with your healthcare provider first. For a list of community operated testing sites, please click here.
BEWARE OF SCAMMERS
It may not be a surprise, but scammers are posing as contact tracers to get your personally identifying information during the COVID-19 health crisis. They're looking for social security numbers or financial information, such as your bank account number. If someone contacts you and asks for this personal information - they're posing! HANG UP immediately.
Help your friends, parents or grandparents know legitimate contact tracers will contact you if you've: 1) tested positive for COVID-19 or 2) if you've been identified as a close contact of someone who's tested positive. And when they ask you for information, they'll ask for:
Your name.
Your date of birth.
Places you've been.
How you're feeling.
The people you've been in contact with for more than 15 min., up to 48 hours before you had symptoms - OR - they'll let you know if you may have been exposed to the virus & what you can do.
SAFE IN THE SOUTH BAY
The “Safe in the South Bay” program has been created for restaurants and businesses in El Segundo, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach. The Chambers of Commerce from those cities have partnered with Beach Cities Health District (BCHD) to provide health guidance and a self-certification process related to Los Angeles County’s Safer at Work and in the Community Health Officer Order.
Currently the “Safe in the South Bay” program is open to all businesses in the four participating cities above. If you're interested in joining the regional Safe in the South Bay program fill out the interest form here. To learn more about the program, please click here.
COMPLIANCE PLAN FOR UPDATED HEALTH OFFICER ORDERS
LA County's Department of Public Health (DPH) unveiled a compliance and enforcement plan yesterday to ensure infection control measures are in place in businesses across the County. The tiered plan will include citations and fines for businesses that continue to violate Health Officer Orders and aims to ensure the health and economy of those who work and live in LA County are protected from the deadly virus.
The Plan
The plan will apply to businesses licensed and permitted by the DPH and those who are not. Businesses licensed and permitted by DPH can expect to see the following when visited by an inspector:
First Visit: In all inspections, DPH starts with education to ensure the business understands what is required and will assess the severity of any violations noted.
For businesses where DPH issues a permit or a license, (which runs the gamut from congregate shelters to all food facilities, spas, multiple-family dwellings, tattoo, and piercing shops, pet daycare, and public and residential pools) in the first visit if inspectors note Health Officer Order violations, they will educate the business on the requirements, can fine the business $100, and can also issue a notice of intent to suspend the permit and will return to the business within 3-7 days.
Second visit: if a business is still non-compliant, DPH will issue a $500 fine and suspend the facility's permit for seven days.
Third visit: If the business is still non-compliant on the third visit, DPH will issue another $500 fine, suspend the business' permit for 30 days, and notify them of the intent to revoke the permit. DPH may also refer the business' non-compliance to the state if it is warranted.
Businesses that are not permitted or licensed by DPH, which can include gyms, hair salons, and other personal services, should expect:
First visit: where non-compliance is found, a $100 fine will be issued and a referral to the appropriate regulatory agency, if applicable.
Second visit: a $500 fine will be issued. DPH will contact local law enforcement for the issuance of a misdemeanor citation. DPH may refer the case to County Counsel for a potential Temporary Restraining Order.
Third Visit: another $500 fine will be issued along with an order to close, and DPH may refer the case to the District Attorney for the filing of misdemeanor charges.
LA County's DPH is working in partnership with the State of California to establish enforcement strategies using the state’s regulatory framework. This partnership will include:
monitoring bars and other venues that serve alcohol (once they can open) in collaboration with Alcoholic Beverage Control;
monitoring hair, beauty and spa service providers in partnership with the Board of Barbering and Cosmetology; and
working closely with Cal/OSHA to protect the health & well-being of workers.
LA County inspectors have been working seven days a week conducting unannounced site visits and responding to a high volume of complaints received by DPH (17,808 Health Officer Order complaints, since March). Most of the businesses under investigation either came into compliance or were working to come into compliance.
To date, 26 restaurants, one grocery store, one pool, and 67 unregulated businesses (which includes three gyms) have been shut down due to Health Officer Order violations. LA County's goal is to ensure public health orders are being followed for the health and safety of all those who work and visit LA County businesses.
To report a violation, please call (888) 700-9995 (M-F 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.) or email Ehmail@ph.lacounty.gov
For more details, read the press release. Click here to access DPH Health Officer Orders and Reopening Protocols.
Visit http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/locations.htm.
For more information on how you can protect yourself, please visit:
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health
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