City Health Ambassador Program Expands COVID-19 Compliance to Protect Community Health
October 20, 2020 11:34 AM
The City of Santa Monica has expanded COVID-19 compliance efforts with the addition of “Health Ambassadors” who will focus on safe business operations and face covering education. The new Health Ambassadors are part of the City’s COVID-19 emergency response and will increase public compliance with COVID-19 public health and safety emergency orders, helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the Santa Monica community.
“As we continue to live with and through the pandemic, the City is working continuously to support a safe experience at our public spaces and local businesses,” said Interim City Manager Lane Dilg. “This challenging time requires partnership, and we thank our residents and visitors for wearing face coverings and being responsible patrons. We similarly thank our local businesses for adapting their operations to offer a slice of normal and joy for our daily lives.”
Serving as force multipliers for the City’s Code Enforcement team, the Health Ambassadors will operate six days a week conducting business checks to ensure local establishments have required LA County COVID-19 signage posted, personnel and patrons are wearing face coverings when not eating and drinking, and physical distancing is being adhered to, among other business requirements under LA County Health Officer Orders. While this team will not be issuing citations, they will assist Code Enforcement staff and Santa Monica Police Department Public Service Officers in special face covering enforcement operations, and will provide education and distribute face coverings to protect community health. Costs related to this effort are potentially eligible for FEMA reimbursement.
Since mid-March, Code Enforcement has conducted 35,059 business checks, issued 854 warnings, and 126 citations. There have been 8,351 face covering checks, 408 face coverings distributed, and 42 citations issued.
For the latest information, please visit santamonica.gov/coronavirus, or call the City’s Coronavirus Hotline at (310) 458-8400.
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Media Contact
Constance Farrell
Communications & Public Information Manager
Constance.Farrell@santamonica.gov