Costa Mesa closes City Hall to public in response to coronavirus

Costa Mesa City Hall is now closed to the general public as a measure to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, the city announced late Sunday.

City spokesman Tony Dodero said Monday that the public closure would continue through April, though staff members are still working at City Hall.

Tuesday’s City Council meeting will proceed as scheduled with public access, Dodero said, though seating in the council chamber will be limited and be designated to keep people at least six feet apart.

Costa Mesa on Thursday declared a local emergency because of the coronavirus outbreak and already
was encouraging members of the public to watch council meetings live on Spectrum TV Channel 3 and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 and via livestream at youtube.com/costamesatv. People can comment on matters on the agenda via mail to “City Council” at 77 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 or email at [email protected].

The city also has closed facilities including the Senior Center, Balearic Community Center, Downtown Aquatics Center, Downtown Recreation Center and Teen Center through April and canceled special events and Parks and Community Services Department programs and activities.

Meal and social services through the Senior Center will be available on a limited basis. For more information, call (714) 327-7550 or email [email protected].

On Sunday night, OC Public Libraries announced that all of its branches countywide, including Costa Mesa’s Donald Dungan and Mesa Verde libraries, are closed for the rest of March.

In addition, a long list of events at other venues in Costa Mesa, including the Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts and the state-owned OC Fair & Event Center, have been canceled or postponed.

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