Full Notification

The City of West Hollywood is reminding the community and the region that the City’s annual Halloween Carnaval has been cancelled in accordance with the Health Officer Order from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, which prohibits public gatherings of more than 10 people as the region responds to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Additionally, LA County Public Health has issued Guidance for Celebrating Halloween and Día de los Muertos, which prohibits carnivals, festivals, live entertainment, and haunted house attractions.

In May 2020, the West Hollywood City Council approved the cancellation of all major special events in the City of West Hollywood through the end of 2020. This includes Pride in June, Halloween Carnaval, and New Year’s Eve events. This action followed the City’s declaration of a local emergency in March 2020 and postponement or cancellation of non-essential events and meetings at that time.

While restaurants in the City will be open for business in adherence to LA County Public Health protocols, on-site outdoor dining capacity is limited. Customers are encouraged to use pickup and takeout options in order to control crowd size and safeguard social distancing.

As a reminder, the City of West Hollywood requires people to wear face coverings in public. Personnel from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department West Hollywood Station will monitor compliance and, while the primary focus remains on education and awareness, personnel may issue Administrative Citations to those refusing voluntary compliance to use a face covering. Sheriff’s personnel will hand out face coverings as part of requesting compliance to people who do not have them. The City of West Hollywood’s fee schedule for an Administrative Citation includes a minimum violation of $250 plus an administrative fee of $50 for a total of $300 on first violation.

In addition, the City of West Hollywood’s Code Compliance Division provides oversight of business compliance and Code Enforcement Officers may issue Administrative Citations to businesses that are not in compliance with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health orders and protocols.

The City of West Hollywood is urging community members to stay home and stay safe this Halloween. LA County Public Health recommends the following Halloween activities to help prevent community spread of COVID-19: online parties/contests (e.g. costume or pumpkin carving); drive-by events or contests; Halloween movie nights at drive-in theaters; Halloween-themed meals at outdoor restaurants (plan ahead with advance reservations); Halloween-themed art installations; dressing-up homes and yards with Halloween-themed decorations; and buying and carving a pumpkin at home. LA County Public Health notes: “The fewer people you and your household have in-person contact with, the lower your risk of getting COVID-19.”

The City of West Hollywood looks forward to celebrating Halloween Carnaval in the future when activities for public gatherings are permitted by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. As background, the City of West Hollywood’s Halloween Carnaval was launched in 1987 and is rooted in the foundation of the City’s diverse culture and community. The event has grown year-by-year into an annual gathering of phenomenal costumes, entertainment, culture, and self-expression with a myriad of observers, revelers, exhibitionists, and performers.

At this time, the City of West Hollywood remains in a declared local emergency in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and is focused on efforts to protect public health and safety. When in public, community members should maintain your space with social (physical) distancing of at least six feet, and cover that face to adhere to City requirements for the use of face coverings.

The City of West Hollywood’s coronavirus updates are available at www.weho.org/coronavirus and the City encourages community members to follow @wehocity on Twitter and Facebook and Instagram and turn on notifications for up-to-date information regarding details in the City of West Hollywood.

For reporters and members of the media seeking additional information about the City of West Hollywood, please contact the City of West Hollywood’s Public Information Officer, Sheri A. Lunn, at (323) 848-6391 or [email protected].