In response to a new Santa Barbara County Public Health Order, the City of Goleta is closing the Sperling Parking Lot at Ellwood Mesa located at the 7700 block of Hollister Avenue over the Labor Day weekend. The parking lot will be closed starting Saturday, September 5 at 12:01 a.m. through Tuesday, September 8 at 6:00 a.m. The order is in alignment with what other agencies are doing regionally to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Pursuant to an August 26th Health Officer Order, all Santa Barbara County beaches will be temporarily closed for stationary activities. Only immediate access to and from the ocean for water sports or beach access for active physical activity will be permitted. This Order is effective beginning on Friday, September 4, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. and continuing until Monday, September 7, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.
The following restrictions apply for the duration of the Health Officer Order:
- Sitting, lying, standing, sunbathing, sight-seeing, picnicking, and all other non-exercise, passive, or sedentary activities on beach parkways are prohibited.
- Items for sitting or lying on the beach are prohibited for use or possession on beaches, such as umbrellas, shade structures, tents, barbeque grills, sand or beach toys, coolers and beach chairs.
Full details regarding these restrictions can be found in the Health Officer Order.
Disease transmission rates have been consistently improving in the last few weeks, yet this metric still remains above the threshold outlined by the California Department of Public Health for being removed from the County Monitoring List.
“Reduced disease transmission is critical in the fight against COVID-19. We anticipate a high volume of visitors at our beaches during the Labor Day weekend, which will impede the practice of safe and necessary social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Santa Barbara County,” said Dr. Henning Ansorg. “Our community has remained diligent in their efforts and now is the time to protect all the positive outcomes we have accomplished.”
Thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding.