COVID-19 Information and Status of City Facilities

The City of Mission Viejo places the health and well-being of its residents, visitors and businesses as its top priority. That is why, considering directives by Governor Gavin Newsom, the California Department of Public Health and Orange County Health Care Agency, the City is proceeding with several cancelations, postponements and closures to help slow the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus). These actions are especially targeted to protecting people who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center
The Community Center will be closed this weekend, and all non-essential programs and classes through the end of March have been canceled or postponed.  The facility will be closed to the public unless you have an existing appointment for tax services or participate in the nutrition programs. Agewell Senior Services will provide meals for older adults enrolled in the program to pick up and take home. The frequency of home-delivered meals will be reduced, but participants will receive more meals with each delivery.  Please contact the Murray Center if you have specific program questions at 949-470-3062.

Recreation Centers
We have canceled or postponed most classes and programs at the Recreation Centers including:

• Babysitting at the Montanoso Recreation Center
• All group fitness classes at Montanoso and Sierra Recreation Centers including yoga, Jazzercise, Pilates, barre, spin, circuit training, boot camps, RIPPED, Zumba and aqua aerobics
• TRX sessions
• All tennis and pickleball clinics at the tennis centers

The Montanoso and Sierra Recreation Centers and the Marguerite and Felipe Tennis Centers will remain open for individual use, lessons and personal training until further notice.

Library
The Mission Viejo Library is open with limited operations, and staff is developing plans in case further direction leads to closure. All library programs, events and meetings have been canceled through the end of March, and the Friends of the Library bookstore will be closed during that time as well.

Passport service has been suspended; however, existing appointments will be honored.

Library patrons are encouraged to take advantage of services that are remotely available – including downloadable books, audio books and magazines available from the library website. The library also has a number of online research resources as well as free online tutoring for all ages available at here. Staff is ready to assist with questions via phone at 949-830-7100 or email libreference@cityofmissionviejo.org.

If you have holds that are likely to come in soon, you can suspend them until you are ready to visit the library again. This feature is accessed under the “My Account” tab in the library catalog or you can call, and a staff member will assist you with this over the phone.

Potocki Center for the Arts
The Center for the Arts is closed until further notice, and all classes have been canceled or postponed.

Mission Viejo Animal Services Center
Animal Services operations for the cities of Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel and Rancho Santa Margarita have not changed at this time.

Mission Viejo City Hall
City Hall is open at the present time (Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm); however, we encourage residents to seek City services online or by telephone whenever possible. Visit the City directory for a list of phone numbers and email addresses.

City Council and Commission meetings
The City Council will remain on their current schedule at the present time however, we encourage residents to view the Tuesday, March 24 City Council meeting at home on Cox Channel 30 or AT&T Channel 99 or stream the meeting live from a computer. Comments on any agenda item can be submitted electronically to the City Clerk at cityclerk@cityofmissionviejo.org. The March 17 Community Services Commission Meeting has been cancelled.

The City of Mission Viejo is implementing these actions due to the advice of health agencies. Timely implementation of aggressive strategies that create social distance has proven effective in prior pandemics at delaying rates of transmission and reducing illness and death. Smaller gatherings held in venues that do not allow social distancing of six feet per person should be postponed or canceled. Gatherings of individuals who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 should be limited to no more than 10 people.

At this time, all questions regarding Coronavirus should be directed to the Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA).  HCA has established a Health Referral Line and is taking questions from the public at 800-564-8558, Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm.  Additional information can be found at  www.ocgov.com/gov/health.

The situation with COVID-19 is evolving, and the City will continue to monitor the situation and make adjustments accordingly. To stay up to date on any additional news regarding City operations or facilities, you are advised to monitor our City’s social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Nextdoor) and news page. For questions, contact 949-470-3033.