TORRANCE, Calif., May 27, 2020- At the Special Torrance City Council Meeting of May 26, City Officials discussed actions to be taken in response to the Los Angeles County and State of California Orders regarding COVID-19. As the City plans for recovery and the gradual phasing out of the orders, Torrance has taken steps to support local businesses and work diligently with the State of California and County of Los Angeles to safely allow them to reopen as soon as possible.

As a result of City Council making direct contact with local leaders, certain orders were lifted allowing more businesses to reopen at 50% capacity and places of worship to commence with certain safeguards including 25% of attendees and 100 person capacity.  The Council will also continue to encourage the State of California and County of Los Angeles to allow in-person dining as well as reopening personal services such as hair salons, barbers, and nail salons as soon as possible. 

In addition, the May 26, Item 4A motion that passed included thanking the Governor for releasing new guidelines on opening up retail and places of worship and thanking the Health Officer of Los Angeles County for releasing their updated Safer at Home Order this evening.  The Council will continue to receive COVID-19 recovery related updates and may consider other options for responding to State and County order at the June 2 meeting.

As part of their efforts, at the May 19 City Council Meeting, Mayor and Council committed to contacting the California Governor and County Supervisors to encourage opportunities for areas like Torrance, that were prepared to re-open certain businesses and activities.  They also passed a motion to allow the City’s Office of Economic Development to cover filing costs associated with proposals for expanded exterior arrangements.  This assistance will grant temporary permits for approved outdoor dining and curbside pick-up plans at no cost to business owners, which would allow them to comply with regulations associated with Safer at Home Orders. In addition, the City’s Permit Center will reopen tomorrow, May 28 with special safeguards in place including:

• Floor decal designs intended to maintain internal social distancing once in the permit center
• Protective sneeze guards at workstations
• Reduced occupancy
• Check- in system for customers to seek service using a QR Code without entering the building, so that they can easily wait in their vehicle until their turn 
• Hand sanitizing stations
• A contactless check-in station at the entry as a third option at the triage desk, for those not using QR Code Check-in and
• ·A focused entry and internal circulation design to allow one-way in and a dedicated exit in order to minimize potential transmission amongst the customers
  

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For more information about Torrance’s COVID-19 efforts and latest Safer at Home Orders issued by LA County visit www.TorranceCA.Gov/COVID19.  
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. WHEREAS, the City Manager issued Public Order No. 2020-2 on March 18, 2020, that prohibited street fairs, block parties, parades, community runs and cycling events, closing swap meets and all Del Amo Fashion Center stores that are solely accessed from within the internal corridors of the mall, with the exception of certain food and beverage vendors and/or facilities, and 
WHEREAS, the City Council ratified Public Order No. 2020-2 on April 7, 2020 in Resolution No. 2020-19; and 
WHEREAS, on May 26, 2020, the County of Los Angeles Health Officer issued a new Safer At Home Order entitled "REOPENING SAFER AT WORK AND IN THE COMMUNITY FOR CONTROL OF COVID-19 MOVING THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES THROUGH STAGE 2 OF CALIFORNIA'S PANDEMIC RESILIENCE ROADMAP" that supersedes all prior Safer at Home Orders issued by the County of Los Angeles Health Officer; and 
WHEREAS, the County's May 26, 2020 Safer At Home Order allows, subject to physical distancing, cloth face coverings, and other safety protocols, the following changes: 
​• Faith-based organizations my resume services with the number of congregants limited to 25% of the total maximum occupancy or 100 people, whichever is lower;
• All retail may open, including those located in indoor and outdoor retail shopping centers at 50% capacity;
• Flea markets, swap meets, and drive-in movie theatres may resume operations;
• Pools, hot tubs and saunas in a multi-unit residence or part of a homeowners association may reopen.
WHEREAS, the City would like to support its businesses and faith-based organizations to resume operations consistent with the County's Safer At Home Order by modifying Public Order No. 2020-2. 
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NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Torrance resolves as follows: 
Section 1. Section 3 (Parades) is modified to read as follows: 
"3. All parades are prohibited, except for Vehicle-Based Parades that comply with Section 15U) of the County's Safer at Home Order. Vehicle-Based Parades must comply with all local and state laws as well as the County's Vehicle-Based Parade Protocol that is attached as Exhibit G to the County's Safer At Home Order." 
Section 2. Section 1 (Street Fairs), Section 5 (Swap Meets) and Section 6 (Del Amo Fashion Center) of Public Order No. 2020-2 are repealed. 
Section 3. Sections 2 (Block Parties) and 4 (Community Runs and Cycling Events) of Public Order No. 2020-2 remain in effect. 

Read original order Public Order No. 2020-2

TORRANCE, Calif., May 18, 2020 – Torrance Public Library, pursuant to the latest modifications to Los Angeles County's Safer-at-Home order, will re-open public book drops at all Torrance Public Libraries effective Today, May 18, 2020.  As libraries are still considered a higher risk service, the Torrance Public Library is not yet eligible to offer full library service.  
 
However, the Library continues to monitor developments surrounding COVID-19 and is developing a plan to safely offer a form of curbside service to the community once the activity is permitted. Library patrons may continue to enjoy the materials they have in their possession and are encouraged to explore the resources featured on the library's website www.Library.TorranceCA.Gov. The Library staff are available to answer any questions through the telephone reference line 310-781-7599, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., or via email at LibraryReference@TorranceCA.Gov.

The Torrance Public Library would like to remind its patrons that there are no library fines during this time, and all hold requests continue to remain on reserve.  The Torrance Public Library continues to confer with the City of Torrance to follow the guidance set forth by the California Department of Public Health and Prevention (CDPH) to cooperatively and proactively slow the spread of COVID-19 while addressing any challenges that may arise. Please visit www.TorranceCa.gov/COVID19 for additional updates regarding the City and City services.​
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