Recent updates to local health orders in response to COVID-19 do not affect Long Beach City College operations.  LBCC remains closed to all but a few approved activities that are defined as “essential” in accordance with the health orders.  These orders continue to allow LBCC to operate as it has been doing for the past several months.

What is allowed on Campus?

Conducting essential labs (in-person instruction for essential workforces as defined in the order for only those activities that cannot be accomplished through virtual learning) is the only on-Campus instructional activity allowed.  LBCC is also allowed to offer a few, limited on-Campus services to support students in need, such as Viking Vault food distributions.  Students who are not enrolled in essential labs or scheduled to pick up or return an item may not be on Campus.  The presence of faculty and staff on Campus has been restricted to only those who must be on Campus to perform an essential function.

What is in the current City of Long Beach Health Order?

The City of Long Beach Health and Human Services Department revision to the “Safer At Home Order for Control of Covid-19” on December 6, 2020, includes restrictions for businesses such as in-person dining at restaurants, reminders about safety protocol, and alignment with statewide regions monitoring ICU bed capacity.  When a region falls below 15% ICU bed capacity, the Stay at Home order must be in place for three weeks.  As of December 6, 2020, the current ICU bed capacity in Long Beach is 10.3%, and so everyone in Long Beach must remain in their residences except for permitted activities through at least December 27, 2020, which may be extended depending on ICU bed capacity changes.  Permitted activities include students attending essential labs or employees on the essential personnel list reporting to work at LBCC, buying groceries or necessary supplies, or engaging in active outdoor recreation and exercise.

How can I help prevent the spread of COVID-19?

Below are some reminders to help slow the spread of COVID-19, which are even more important given the current rise in positive cases:

• Do not gather with anyone outside of your household.
• Wear a face covering over your nose and mouth when you leave your home.
• Avoid eating and drinking in public places to prevent the need to remove your face covering.
• Maintain six-foot physical distance from others, even when wearing a face covering.
• Avoid non-essential travel (more than two hours from home or to other states or countries).
• Stay home between 10:00 pm – 5:00 am unless you are an essential worker.

What should I do if I feel sick or think I may have been exposed to COVID-19?

If you have COVID-19 symptoms—fever (above 100.4°) or chills, cough, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, feeling ill (chills, headache, muscle pain, sore throat), loss of sense of smell, loss of sense of taste, nausea, or vomiting, diarrhea—or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or have questions about COVID-19:

• Students: Contact the Student Health Center at 562-938-4210
• Employees: Contact HR at 562-938-5250 or COVID-HRhelp@lbcc.edu.

We know that this is a stressful time—LBCC cares about you and support is available.  Please also be reassured that we continue to track all changes to the public health orders and make operational changes as necessary to fully comply with the orders and to preserve the health and safety of the Campus community.  The current City of Long Beach orders may be found online at: http://www.longbeach.gov/health/diseases-and-condition/information-on/coronavirus/covid-19-orders/.  More information about Los Angeles County is available online at: https://covid19.lacounty.gov/