COVID-19 Community Update – November 19
The University continues to monitor the evolving COVID-19 pandemic. As cities and states throughout the nation—including Los Angeles and its surrounding counties—are reporting new increases in positivity rates and hospitalizations, community members should remain vigilant and continue to take preventative action.
New Los Angeles County Restrictions
Yesterday, Los Angeles County announced new restrictions effective Friday, November 20, including the following:
- All non-essential retail establishments must close from 10 PM to 6 AM. For non-essential businesses permitted to operate indoors—including retail stores, offices, personal care services—occupancy will be limited to 25 percent maximum capacity.
- Restaurants, breweries, wineries, and bars, and all other non-essential retail establishments must close from 10 PM to 6 AM. The number of patrons at outdoor restaurants, breweries, and wineries will be limited to 50 percent max outdoor capacity.
- Services at personal care establishments may be provided by appointment only. Services that require either the customer or the staff to remove their face covering are not permitted.
- Outdoor gatherings remain the only gatherings permitted, and they must only include 15 people maximum who are members of no more than three households.
These new restrictions do not directly impact Pepperdine’s current operations. However, health officials also noted additional restrictions may be necessary if cases continue to rise and established thresholds for when they would institute another potential “Safer at Home” order similar to those previously implemented in March and April.
Holiday Travel and Gatherings
The University encourages students, faculty, and staff to review advisories and guidance issued by local and national health agencies. If you plan to travel or visit with loved ones, the CDC has issued travel guidelines and safety recommendations for gathering this holiday season, including the following:
- Obtain an influenza vaccination if you have not already done so.
- Review the regulations governing travel to your destination.
- Delay travel if you feel sick, have been exposed to COVID-19, or are in quarantine or isolation.
Similarly, California, Oregon, and Washington issued travel advisories urging people to consider limiting out-of-state travel and self-quarantining for 14 days upon re-entry if traveling out-of-state.
Staying Safe
As a reminder, community members should follow guidelines from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and CDC when interacting with individuals outside of their primary household to ensure their safety and the safety of our community.
- Wear a face covering over your nose and mouth when in public. Recent studies have shown masks offer protection to you by reducing the amount of infectious droplets inhaled by the wearer, as well as those around you by limiting the spread of infectious droplets from unaware, asymptomatic mask wearers.
- Keep a distance of at least six feet from others whenever possible.
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Limit the time you spend with individuals who live outside your household, especially indoors, and even if wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, or outdoors.
Emotional Support Resources
As the pandemic concludes its ninth month in the United States, the University recognizes some community members may be experiencing ongoing feelings of uncertainty, anxiety, or isolation. As a reminder, the Counseling Center, Employee Assistance Program, and Pastoral Care are available to the University community. Details on contacting each of these are available on the University’s COVID-19 website.
As always, the University encourages all students, faculty, and staff to stay informed and follow the guidance and direction of local authorities. The latest information is available on the University’s COVID-19 website and Emergency Information Page. If you have questions, please contact Pepperdine’s COVID-19 Information Line at 310.506.8111 or via email at covid19info@pepperdine.edu.
Pepperdine Emergency Information 