Newport Beach and Huntington Beach close city halls to the public over coronavirus

Tuesday’s order from Orange County to curtail all gatherings except for “essential” activities means Newport Beach is closing all city facilities to the public, including City Hall and the Police Department, through the end of the month to help slow the transmission of the COVID-19 coronavirus, the city said late Tuesday afternoon.

Huntington Beach followed suit Tuesday night, closing City Hall, shutting all other city facilities and canceling meetings of boards, commissions and advisory groups.

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Orange County issues order to stop non-essential gatherings through March

Tuesday’s order prohibits any professional, social and community gatherings outside a household. It exempts many “essential activities,” including grocery stores and food delivery and take-out.

March 17, 2020

Newport Beach police officers will continue patrols, but the front counter will no longer be accessible. Residents are asked to contact the Police Department by phone and email and use the online reporting system at nbpd.org.

Other city staff members will continue to provide services by phone, email and online.

Newport also is suspending all public commission and committee meetings. Only the City Council will meet during the shutdown, with online or television viewing encouraged. People who want to attend in person will find many seats in the council chamber blocked with tape to maintain social distancing.

Comments about agenda items can be submitted in advance by email to cityclerk@newportbeachca.gov.

Newport already had closed its libraries, community and recreation centers and senior center in recent days.

In alignment with the county order, the public libraries will suspend pickup until further notice. Online resources, including downloadable books, audiobooks, magazines, streaming video and databases, remain available to Newport Beach Public Library card holders at newportbeachlibrary.org/ebranch.

Daily Pilot staff writer Faith E. Pinho contributed to this report.

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