City Temporarily Closes Santa Monica Pier to Protect the Public’s Health
March 15, 2020 9:22 PM
UPDATE: All orders associated with the local COVID-19 emergency have been extended to April 30, 2020. All local emergency orders are available at santamonica.gov/coronavirus.
SANTA MONICA, Calif. – Tonight, the City of Santa Monica issued an executive order to temporarily close the Santa Monica Pier to the public as part of its local emergency proclamation. This follows new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) calling for events and gatherings, whether planned or spontaneous, that include 50 or more people to be canceled to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
Beginning at 6 a.m., Monday, March 16, 2020, the Santa Monica Pier, parking deck, and Pier businesses will be closed to people and cars.
“We welcome thousands of guests to our Pier each and every day, so we take this step out of the deepest desire to keep people at home and healthy,” said City Manager Rick Cole. “We love our Pier and the joy it brings to everyone that visits, but in this moment, we must take aggressive actions to slow the spread of COVID-19.”
The City team is closely monitoring CDC, State, and County Health Department guidance to determine when and/or how the Pier can be reopened to the public.
"We are in full support of this temporary closure to the public amid this health crisis. Though this will heavily impact the Pier businesses, in this historic moment it is the right thing to do,” said Negin Singh, Executive Director of the Santa Monica Pier Corporation. “We know that once we overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, our Pier will play an important role in serving the public with our great food, attractions, performers and free, world-class events. We all look forward to welcoming you back."
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Media Contact
Constance Farrell
Communications & Public Information Manager
Constance.Farrell@santamonica.gov
Departments
Office of Emergency Management