Village News

In late June, the Third and United boards of directors adopted Temporary COVID-19 Rules on an emergency basis in response to the ongoing public health threat to residents from the coronavirus pandemic. 

To address the severity of the situation facing the entire community, the boards of directors, including the GRF board, formed a working group consisting of two members from each corporation to review and amend the resolution adopted by Third and United mutuals. 

In mid-July, the GRF board approved modified Temporary COVID-19 Rules in an emergency meeting held in compliance with California Civil Code Section 4923. The modified rules were also approved by Third and United mutuals on July 24, and July 28, respectively. In early August, the GRF board ratified approval of the resolution pertaining to the adoption of modified rules; Third and United mutuals ratified resolution approval August 11, and August 18, respectively. Temporary COVID-19 Rules expired on October 26.

With the expiration of these rules, the Village is adhering to State of California Department of Public Health (CDPH), county and other applicable public health guidelines relating to parts of the emergency resolution, including face coverings, gatherings and indoor activities.

Face Coverings

Attachment 1 contains state guidelines pertaining to mask and face coverings, updated October 20, and CDPH Guidance for the Use of Face Coverings, released by the state on June 18. These guidelines require Californians to wear face coverings when they are in high-risk situations, including, but not limited to:

• Inside of, or in line to enter, any public space;
• When getting healthcare;
• Waiting for or riding on public transportation or paratransit or while in a taxi, private car service or ride-sharing vehicle; 
• At work, when near others or moving through common areas; and 
• Outdoors when maintaining a physical distance of 6 feet from persons who are not members of the same household or residence is not feasible.

Residents and visitors must adhere to the state requirements outlined above and in Attachment 1, with specified exceptions, and VMS employees and contractors continue to wear face coverings when working in the community.

Outdoor Gatherings and Activities

The Village currently adheres to the state’s COVID-19 industry-specific guidance for activities such as outdoor recreation (Campgrounds, RV Parks and Outdoor Recreation) and fitness centers (Gyms and Fitness Centers) and is transitioning to CDPH requirements for private outdoor gatherings (Private Gatherings) and soon-to be-released CDPH guidelines for outdoor musical, theatrical and artistic performances.

Outdoor gatherings and performance requirements include, but are not limited to:

• Audience members and others not performing must wear masks;
• Audience members from different households must be spaced at least 6 feet apart in all directions (front-to-back and side-to-side) when seated or otherwise viewing the performance;
• Performers who are not wearing face coverings must be at least 6 feet apart from each other;
• Individuals should not attend gatherings if feeling sick or in a high-risk group; and
• Everyone at a gathering should frequently wash hands or use hand sanitizer.

Attachment 2 contains CDPH Guidance for Private Gatherings issued October 9. Attachment 3 highlights conditional guidelines for live musical, theatrical and other performances. At this time, only those counties in the “Moderate” (orange) or “Minimal” (yellow) risk tiers are permitted hold such gatherings. The CDPH currently is preparing guidance documentation. Currently, the Recreation and Special Events Department is holding outdoor drive-in movies and entertainment in accordance with state-issued industry guidance.

Clubhouses/Indoor Activities

VMS continues to monitor state, county and other applicable public health guidance pertaining to clubhouses and associated indoor activities. Such guidance has not been issued yet, and clubhouses and indoor activities remain closed.

Today's case count for Laguna Woods was reported at 83 by the Orange County Health Care Agency. To view more information about COVID-19 and the Village, including the daily case count and more, click here.

On Tuesday, November 17, during the Third Laguna Hills Mutual regular board meeting, VMS CEO Jeff Parker gave a presentation regarding updated state, county and other applicable COVID-19 requirements. To view the presentation, click here.

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