Newport Beach City Hall to reopen to the public

Newport Beach City Hall is opening to the public again this Monday — the second such reopening since the start of the coronavirus pandemic shut it down in mid-March.

The city announced Thursday that it would mandate face coverings and have social distancing requirements to enter City Hall. This follows the successful reopening of the Newport Beach Central Library on Sept. 21.

Community centers will also reopen for classes, including the Oasis fitness center, with reduced capacities in the coming weeks. Community centers will still be closed for event rentals.

City spokesman John Pope said that the city’s installed plexiglass shields between desks and work stations in the open office areas of City Hall and on all the front counters. Stickers marking 6 feet distances are also on the first floor for those waiting for counter service. Residents are still encouraged to conduct city business by phone, email or web services when possible.

Pope said that city staff will not be taking temperatures for members of the public, but that only two sets of doors will be open so that staff can monitor capacity. If there are too many people inside, members of the public will be asked to wait outside.

City Council and commission meetings will continue to be streamed at newportbeachca.gov and the public can continue to comment by phone or email.

Newport Beach City Hall closed in mid-March before reopening again in May. It was subsequently closed a second time in July when COVID-19 cases increased in Orange County.

The Orange County Health Care Agency reported Friday that there were 1,133 cases and 25 deaths of COVID-19 in Newport Beach.

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