Clubs are renewing status as LW reopens

JUNE 15 TARGET DATE

by Kathy Thayer

assistant recreation manager

The COVID-19 Ad Hoc Committee submitted a board action request for the GRF’s approval to allow the Recreation Department to continue opening amenities under state and county guidelines at the regularly scheduled board meeting May 25. The motion unanimously passed.

On May 20, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office announced that beginning on June 15, all industry and business sectors listed in the current Blueprint Activities and Business Tiers Chart may return to usual operations with no capacity limits or physical distancing requirements, with limited exceptions for mega events.

“Californians should be proud of the work we’ve done together to get through the worst of this pandemic,” said Dr. Tomás Aragón, State Public Health officer and director of the California Department of Public Health. “Relaxing many of our public health measures is possible because we’ve chosen to get vaccinated against COVID-19, worn masks and kept our distance. We urge Californians who are eligible to get vaccinated and continue taking common sense prevention steps so we can keep our forward progress in defeating this virus.”

Since the Amphitheater holds 2,500 people, LWSB is exempt from mega-event restrictions and can return to normal operations. The same applies to indoor events, where restrictions only affect groups exceeding 5,000.

Orange County is currently in the yellow tier, under which significant lifting of restrictions will be permitted. Most indoor activities may be opened with 50 percent capacity, with residents only, current disinfection procedures and continued masking. This will be lifted after June 15.

According to Joseph Minderhoud, executive secretary of the Office of the Director of the OC Health Care Agency, from which GRF takes its guidance: “CDC guidance does not supersede state or local health department guidance. The state is currently reviewing the mask mandate along with the plan for after June 15. We expect to hear something from the state soon (we hope within the next couple of weeks). Any governing body has the power to be stricter (but not more relaxed) than the guidance set above them. This means the federal government can loosen restrictions, but the state may choose to follow or continue with or enact stricter policies. The same can occur at our level. As a local health department, we have the power to be stricter than the state (although here in Orange County, we almost always align ourselves with the state guidance).”

The Governor has said: On June 15, California will fully reopen its economy across the state if:

• There is enough vaccine supply for Californians 16 years and older to be vaccinated.

• Hospitalizations rates remain stable and low, especially among fully vaccinated Californians.

On this basis, the GRF Board voted to approve the COVID-19 Ad Hoc Committee’s request. What this means is some already-open areas can have more participants and some areas previously closed can be opened.

Clubhouses, however, will remain closed until at least June 15, predicated on the Governor’s plan ( see Amenity Reopening Chart, page 4).

With the expectation of reopening in June, the Recreation Department is diligently reviewing and renewing approximately 200 clubs. Several are disbanding, and under the new club membership policy, most clubs are restricted to once-a-week reservations. Clubs with recurring reservations previously booked in Clubhouse 4 on weekdays during business hours are being relocated, as are clubs formerly in Clubhouse 6, rooms A and B, which no longer exist. Clubhouse 1 will now host most card clubs, as well as offer open playing for card or game groups that don’t want set reservations. All are being advised that any remaining restrictions must be adhered to once they are finalized by the county.

Most clubs have already met with Recreation staff to renew their status and secure reservations. Any club that has not submitted a Club Officers Renewal Form must do so immediately if the club is to be allowed clubhouse reservation privileges. Disbanding clubs are asked to immediately contact the Recreation Office at (562) 4316586, ext. 326.

For more information, contact kathyt@lwsb.com.