Long Beach to Allow Increased Capacity for Private Gatherings, Indoor Live Events

Long Beach, CA – The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services has issued an updated Health Order, effective today, allowing indoor seated live events and performances, indoor family entertainment operations and modifications to private social gatherings. 

An overview of the revised Health Order, pursuant to revised guidance issued by the State, is provided below. The following gatherings, activities and events may resume beginning at 11:59 p.m. today, April 16, with adherence to required modifications and other State requirements.

Social, informal gatherings (e.g. family and friends) 

These gatherings do not require defined guest lists, admission fees or tickets

• When outdoors, a maximum of 50 people
• When indoors, maximum 25% capacity in places with capacity limits or 25 people, whichever is fewer. Food or drink indoors is strongly discouraged.
• Indoor gatherings remain strongly discouraged
• Face coverings are required, with certain exceptions for fully vaccinated persons pursuant to the CDPH Guidance on COVID-19 Public Health Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People

Private Venues and Events (e.g., meetings/receptions/conferences)

These gatherings are distinguished from other gatherings in that these events must have a defined guest list and the ability to assign seating for guests. Private Venues and Events are subject to the following rules:

• Purchased tickets or defined list
• Seating chart or assigned seating
• No intermingling of multiple private events.

Capacity Limits:

• When outdoors: a maximum of 100 people
  • Capacity increases to maximum of 300 if all guests have proof of a negative COVID-19 test conducted within 72 hours prior to the event OR proof of full vaccination.
• When indoors, a maximum of 150 people if all guests have proof of a negative COVID-19 test conducted within 72 hours prior to the event OR proof of full vaccination.
• All attendees must wear face coverings unless actively eating or drinking. Guests who do not comply should be removed from the event immediately. Attendees must practice physical distancing of 6 feet or greater.

Indoor Seating Live Events and Performances

Indoor seated live events and performances are subject to the following requirements:

• In-state visitors only
• Weekly worker testing program
• All tickets to be delivered digitally, advanced purchase only
• Food and drink must occur in pre-designated eating areas (no eating/drinking allowed in seats) with 6-foot distancing
• Suites are limited to 25% capacity with a maximum of three households or six people from the same household

Venues with a capacity of 0-1,500

• Maximum capacity is 15% or 200, whichever is fewer
• Capacity may increase to 35% if all guests have proof of a negative COVID-19 test conducted within 72 hours prior to the event OR proof of full vaccination.

Venues with a capacity of 1,500 or more

• Maximum capacity is 10% or 2,000, whichever is fewer, with modifications
• Capacity may increase to 35% if all guests have proof of a negative COVID-19 test conducted within 72 hours prior to the event OR proof of full vaccination.
• All attendees must wear face coverings unless actively eating or drinking.  Attendees must practice physical distancing of 6 feet or greater.

Clarification on Retail and Grocery Protocol Capacity

Capacity is limited to the amount of people that can physically distance 6ft or greater at an indoor facility or outdoor site.

Clarification on Hair Salon and Personal Care Service

Face shields are provided and shall be worn by employees when serving customers not wearing a cloth face covering while receiving services. The face shield shall be worn in addition to the face covering.  Face coverings protect others from the wearer’s droplets; face shields help protect the wearer from other’s droplets. 

Businesses or sectors permitted to operate indoors pursuant to the Long Beach Safer-At-Home Health Order may increase their capacity up to a maximum of 50% of total venue capacity where all participants are either fully vaccinated or show proof of a negative COVID-19 conducted 72 hours prior to arrival. Sectors and businesses affected by this change include, but are not limited to, gyms and fitness centers and wineries, breweries and distilleries.

Clarification for Owners of Dining Establishments, Bars, Wineries, Breweries and Distilleries

Tables located within an indoor and outdoor dining area must be separated by at least 6 feet, measured from the back of the chair of the seated patron at one table to the back of the chair of the seated patron at an adjacent table.

Business owners can call the City’s BizCare Hotline at 562.570.4BIZ (4249), weekdays, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for more information. Businesses operating under these revised protocols are required to understand the guidance and implement all safety measures. Read all revisions to the Health Orderhere. 

The City urges everyone, even those who have received COVID-19 vaccinations, to remain vigilant in practicing all health and safety protocols outlined in the Health Order, including wearing face coverings and maintaining proper physical distance from others. Persons that are fully vaccinated from COVID-19 may visit with other fully vaccinated people indoors without masks or physical distancing in private settings only. Persons that are fully vaccinated from COVID-19 may also visit with unvaccinated people from a single household who are at low risk for severe COVID-19 disease indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing in private settings only.