We reported here back in May that the annual West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval 2020 was to be defunded and cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. A City press release issued today is reminding the community and the region that the City’s annual Halloween Carnaval will not be happening this year in accordance with the Health Officer Order from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, which prohibits public gatherings of more than 10 people. LA County Public Health has also issued Guidance for Celebrating Halloween and Día de los Muertos, which prohibits carnivals, festivals, live entertainment, and haunted house attractions.
In May 2020, the West Hollywood City Council approved the cancellation of all major special events in the City of West Hollywood through the end of 2020. This includes Pride in June, Halloween Carnaval 2020, and New Year’s Eve events. This action followed the City’s declaration of a local emergency in March 2020 and postponement or cancellation of non-essential events and meetings at that time.
While restaurants in the City will be open for business in adherence to LA County Public Health protocols, on-site outdoor dining capacity is limited. Customers are encouraged to use pickup and takeout options in order to control crowd size and safeguard social distancing.
The city press release reminds the community that the City of West Hollywood requires people to wear face coverings in public. Personnel from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department West Hollywood Station will monitor compliance and, while the primary focus remains on education and awareness, personnel may issue Administrative Citations to those refusing voluntary compliance to use a face covering. Sheriff’s personnel will hand out face coverings as part of requesting compliance to people who do not have them. The City of West Hollywood’s fee schedule for an Administrative Citation includes a minimum violation of $250 plus an administrative fee of $50 for a total of $300 on first violation.
In addition, the City of West Hollywood’s Code Compliance Division provides oversight of business compliance and Code Enforcement Officers may issue Administrative Citations to businesses that are not in compliance with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health orders and protocols.
The City of West Hollywood is urging community members to stay home and stay safe this Halloween. LA County Public Health recommends the following Halloween activities to help prevent community spread of COVID-19: online parties/contests (e.g. costume or pumpkin carving); drive-by events or contests; Halloween movie nights at drive-in theaters; Halloween-themed meals at outdoor restaurants (plan ahead with advance reservations); Halloween-themed art installations; dressing-up homes and yards with Halloween-themed decorations; and buying and carving a pumpkin at home. LA County Public Health notes: “The fewer people you and your household have in-person contact with, the lower your risk of getting COVID-19.”
At this time, the City of West Hollywood remains in a declared local emergency in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and is focused on efforts to protect public health and safety. When in public, community members should maintain your space with social (physical) distancing of at least six feet, and cover that face to adhere to City requirements for the use of face coverings.
The City of West Hollywood’s coronavirus updates are available at www.weho.org/coronavirus.
