Coronavirus Updates
The response to the Coronavirus outbreak is fluid. The City of Lake Forest is taking precautions in accordance with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control, Office of the Governor, Orange County Board of Supervisors, and Orange County Health Agency.
If you have medical questions about COVID-19, call the Orange County Health Referral Line daily from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. at (800) 564-8448. Non-medical questions? Call the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Public Information Hotline at (714) 628-7085.
The City will post updates, advisories and other materials on this page as they become available. Residents are also advised to call the Lake Forest Hotline at 461-3536 for City updates. Additionally, the City asks residents to register for Nixle text alerts by texting LakeForest to 888777 or go to www.nixle.com to register for texts, emails or voice messages.
If you have additional questions, please call the City at 461-3400.
Message from the Mayor
The City continues to serve residents and provide essential services during the coronavirus outbreak.
County to Release City-by-City COVID-19 Counts
Orange County Health officials on Friday, March 27 will begin releasing daily totals of COVID-19 cases on a city by city basis. The City did not receive this information previously. The information will be posted each afternoon at https://occovid19.ochealthinfo.com/coronavirus-in-oc
Please remember:
- City case data is reflective of where cases live; this does not necessarily reflect where transmission occurred.
- City numbers should not be interpreted to reflect where transmission is geographically focused or not, but COVID-19 is present in all communities in the county.
- Case counts are not reflective of all disease transmission in any given community because testing is prioritized for those at greatest risk or most sick; asymptomatic and persons with mild disease may not be reflected due to not being tested.
- Because transmission occurs throughout the county, it is important for all residents to practice social-distancing as directed by the Governor and the Orange County Health Officer regardless of case count in their city. Doing so will help to reduce the spread of infection, ease the burden on our hospital and healthcare system, and protect those most vulnerable in our county.
Governor issues stay at home order
Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday, March 19, issued a statewide stay at home order. The order includes exceptions for essential services, such as gas stations, pharmacies, food stores, farmers’ markets, take-out restaurants, banks and laundromats.
Click here to see the Governor’s order
Click here to see the exceptions referenced in the Governor’s order.
OC Issues FAQ on amended health order
County of Orange officials on Thursday, March 19 issued an FAQ on the County Health Officer order that closed bars, health clubs, movie theaters and dine-in restaurants to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
OC AMENDS HEALTH ORDER
The Public Health Order issued by the County Health Officer on March 17, 2020 has been amended in light of new and changing State guidelines and to provide clarity for Orange County residents and businesses. It is important for all Orange County residents and businesses to read the Order and Guidance in its entirety.
It is important for Orange County businesses to remain open while practicing social distancing consistent with the California Department of Public Health’s guidance. However, following State guidelines, all bars and other establishments that serve alcohol and do not serve food shall close. All restaurants and other business establishments that serve food shall close all onsite dining. Pickup, delivery and drive thru services may remain open. All movie theaters, gyms, and health clubs shall close.
The strong recommendations in the amended Order and Guidance are intended to be consistent with State guidelines and are made to protect and preserve public health and prevent the spread of COVID-19.
As this is a rapidly evolving situation, the Order and Guidance may be revised and/or extended at any time.
A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document will be released later to provide additional clarification related to the Order and Guidance.
Should you have questions, please contact the County of Orange Public Information Hotline at (714) 628-7085. Please do not call 9-1-1 unless it is an emergency.
For general information about COVID-19, please call the OC Health Care Agency’s (HCA) Health Referral Line at (800) 564-8448, visit http://www.ochealthinfo.com/novelcoronavirus, or follow the HCA on Facebook (@ochealthinfo) and Twitter (@ochealth).
OC CLARIFIES HEALTH OFFICER ORDER - NOT A SHELTER IN PLACE
3/18/2020
The County late Tuesday announced the Health Officer’s order is not a shelter-in-place mandate. The order, the County said, was intended to remind residents to follow social distancing and reinforce state guidelines that bars that do not serve food should close and all restaurants, including drive-through, should close their dining rooms.
Additional updates are expected.
Click here to see the news release
OC Health Officer Prohibits Public and Private Gatherings
3/17/2020
Orange County Health Officer Dr. Nichole Quick on Tuesday issued an order prohibiting all gatherings of any number of poeple to slow the spread of coronavirus. The prohibition applies to all professional, social and community gatherings, although it exempts families.
It also exempts essential activities and a specified number of other categories.
Lake Forest Updates
Updated March 18 2020
- The City Council on Tuesday, March 17 declared a local emergency, allowing the City to recoup funds spent on the coronavirus outbreak.
- City Hall, The Clubhouse (Senior Center), Community Center, Recreation Center at the Lake Forest Sports Park and Etnies Skatepark are closed to the public through April.
- All special events, activities and camps through April are cancelled or postponed.
Community Development and Public Works
The City has adopted new protocols for permits and inspections during the coronavirus outbreak. Please click here the new protocols.
Planning DivisionJennifer Weiss(949) 461-3462 jweiss@lakeforestca.gov | |
Code Enforcement DivisionAfrouz Rashidian(949) 461-3474 arashidan@lakeforestca.gov | |
Housing/CDBGRon Santos(949) 461-3449 rsantos@lakeforestca.gov | |
Building Division(949) 461-3470Yasmin Houshyar yhoushyar@lakeforestca.gov Building Inspection Line (888) 890-6298 |