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A Superior Court judge has affirmed a state Court of Appeal ruling that upheld the validity of Los Angeles County’s Health Officer Order, including the prohibition on indoor church services, which a Sun Valley church has challenged as unconstitutional.

Grace Community Church in Sun Valley has continued holding large indoor services, in violation of the County’s Health Officer Orders to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Under the health order, faith services and protests are permitted to take place outdoors, but not inside because such gatherings dramatically increase the potential for spreading the virus.

The County has asked the court to consider issuing a temporary restraining order prohibiting the church from holding indoor services. If the court issues the order, any future indoor services could be grounds for a contempt citation and fines of up to $20,000.

A hearing on the County’s request is set for Monday, August 24, 2020, in Los Angeles Superior Court, Department 86.

The County released the following statement:

We are grateful that the court recognized the vital importance of our Health Officer Orders in protecting the public health, and continue to seek an opportunity to work with Grace Community Church to bring its services into compliance. This is a matter of life and death for our most vulnerable residents as we continue to battle this pandemic.

Los Angeles County has asked a Superior Court judge to impose sanctions against a Sun Valley church that has repeatedly violated public health and court orders needed to slow the spread of COVID-19. A hearing is set for August 20 at 8:30 a.m.

The County released the following statement:

Los Angeles County is working around the clock to contain and slow a deadly virus that has killed more than 5,000 of our residents and made thousands of others gravely ill. Most residents, businesses and institutions are following the Health Officer Orders, demonstrating the care and compassion for our neighbors that is so urgently needed at this difficult time. Many faith organizations have willingly moved their services outdoors, which is permitted as long as public health guidelines are followed. Unfortunately, Grace Community Church has continued to hold large, indoor services that dramatically increase the potential for COVID-19 transmission. Los Angeles County reluctantly, and as a last resort, has turned to the courts to obtain compliance because, unfortunately, indoor services at the church have continued. Most recently, the California Court of Appeal ruled that Grace Community Church must comply with the Health Officer Orders and cannot conduct indoor services.

Meanwhile, the County continues to extend its hand to Grace Community Church with a standing offer to share educational awareness and practical guidance for conducting services outdoors, in ways that prioritize the health of their congregation as well as the broader community.

With temperatures in parts of Los Angeles County soaring and remaining in the triple digits for several days in a row, the County of Los Angeles is activating additional Emergency Cooling Centers this week and extending others to help residents beat the heat.

The additional and newly extended Centers are:

Claremont Library

208 North Harvard Avenue

Claremont, CA 91711

Tuesday, August 18 through Friday, August 21

12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Huntington Park Library

6518 Miles Avenue

Huntington Park, CA 90255

Tuesday, August 18 through Friday, August 21

12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

San Angelo Park

245 South San Angelo Park

La Puente, CA 91746

Wednesday, August 19 through Friday, August 21

12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Sunshine Park

515 Deepmead Avenue

La Puente, CA 91744

Monday, August 17 through Friday, August 21

12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Salazar Park

3864 Whittier Boulevard

Los Angeles, CA 90023

Wednesday, August 19 through Friday, August 21

12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Quartz Hill Library

5040 West Avenue M-2

Quartz Hill, CA 93356

Tuesday, August 18 through Friday, August 21

12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Stevenson Ranch Library

25950 The Old Road

Stevenson Ranch, CA 91381

Tuesday, August 18 through Friday, August 21

12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

The County is continuing a strong collaboration with various communities, such as Azusa, Baldwin Park, Burbank, Canoga Park, Claremont, Duarte, El Monte, Glendale, Glendora, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Palmdale, Pico Rivera, Quartz Hill, San Fernando, Sherman Oaks, South El Monte, Stevenson Ranch, Topanga and Torrance to bring this important support service to all residents at no cost.

All Centers will operate in compliance with physical distancing and other COVID-19 safety criteria from the current Health Officer Order. They are located in areas selected based on heat forecasts provided by the National Weather Service and impact to regions identified by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Locations and operating hours may be adjusted based on weather conditions.

To obtain a list of all Emergency Cooling Centers located throughout Los Angeles or view a map of these sites, visit ready.lacounty.gov/heat or dial 2-1-1.

The County also reminds all members of the public to take the following extra precautions during hot weather:

• Avoid the sun – stay indoors from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. when the burning rays are strongest.
• Drink plenty of fluids – 2 to 4 glasses of water every hour during times of extreme heat.
• Replace salt and minerals – sweating removes salt and minerals from your body, so replenish these nutrients with low sugar fruit juices or sports drinks during exercise or when working outside.
• Avoid alcohol.
• Pace yourself – reduce physical activity and avoid exercising outdoors during peak heat hours.
• Wear appropriate clothing – wear a wide-brimmed hat and light-colored lightweight, loose-fitting clothes when you are outdoors.
• Stay cool indoors during peak hours – set your air conditioner between 75° to 80°. If you don’t have air conditioning, take a cool shower twice a day and/or visit a County Emergency Cooling Center. Find a local emergency cooling center at ready.lacounty.gov/heat.
• Monitor those at high risk – check on elderly neighbors, family members and friends who do not have air conditioning. Infants and children up to 4 years old, people who overexert during work (e.g. construction workers) and people 65 years and older are at the highest risk of heat-related illnesses.
• Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 if you need to be in the sun.
• Keep pets indoors – heat also affects your pets, so please keep them indoors. If they will be outside, make sure they have plenty of water and a shaded area to help them keep cool.

For more information on heat-related illnesses and prevention, please visit the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s website at publichealth.lacounty.gov.

The California Court of Appeal today set aside a lower court order that would have allowed indoor services to take place at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley. 

The Court of Appeal’s decision temporarily upholds the County’s Health Officer Orders prohibiting indoor worship services in order to protect congregants and the community as a whole from transmission of the highly contagious and potentially fatal COVID-19 virus.

A full hearing on the matter is scheduled for September 4. A link to the court’s ruling can be found here: http://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/lac/1076857_GraceChurchOrder.pdf

Los Angeles County issued the following statement on today’s decision:

Los Angeles County is pleased that the California Court of Appeal recognizes the vital importance of our Health Officer Orders in protecting the lives and health of our residents as we work to slow the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus. 

We will continue to work closely with all religious institutions, including Grace Community Church, to make sure their congregants are protected and provided with accurate information about worshiping safely during this phase of the pandemic.

Outdoor religious observances are permitted; participants must wear cloth face coverings and maintain six feet of distance from each other unless they live in the same household.

The County is grateful to all residents and institutions for coming together to take the actions that will continue to move us forward, as a community, through our recovery.

With temperatures in parts of Los Angeles County expected to rise into the triple digits, various public facilities located throughout the County will serve as Emergency Cooling Centers starting on Friday, August 14th. These centers provide members of the public who lack air conditioning at home with relief from the heat, free of charge.

“Offering free emergency heat relief is an important service to help keep vulnerable members of the public safe and healthy during heat waves,” stated Kevin McGowan, Director of the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management. “The County is collaborating with various communities, such as Azusa, Burbank, Canoga Park, Claremont, El Monte, Glendale, Los Angeles, San Fernando, Sherman Oaks, Stevenson Ranch, Topanga, and Quartz Hill to bring this support service to all residents at no cost. We jointly stand ready to provide anyone who needs to get out of the heat with a safe place to cool down.”

All Centers will operate in compliance with physical distancing and other COVID-19 safety criteria from the current Health Officer Order. They will be located in areas selected based on heat forecasts provided by the National Weather Service and impact to regions identified by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. More locations may be added or hours extended based on weather conditions. To obtain a list of the County’s Emergency Cooling Centers or view a map of these sites, visit ready.lacounty.gov/heat or dial 2-1-1.

Location Information, Dates and Hours of Operation:

Valleydale Park
5525 North Lark Ellen Avenue
Azusa, CA 91702
Friday, August 14 through Sunday, August 16
12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Buena Vista Library
300 North Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91505
Friday, August 14 through Monday, August 17
12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Canoga Park Senior Center
7326 Jordan Avenue
Canoga Park, CA 91303
Friday, August 14 through Monday, August 17
12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Claremont Library
208 North Harvard Avenue
Claremont, CA 91711
Friday, August 14 through Sunday, August 16
12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Grace T. Black Auditorium
3130 Tyler Avenue
El Monte, CA 91731
Friday, August 14 and Saturday, August 15
12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Griffith Manor Park
1551 Flower Street
Glendale, CA 91201
Friday, August 14
10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Pacific Community Center (entrance near outdoor basketball/pickleball courts)
501 South Pacific Avenue
Glendale, CA 91204
Saturday, August 15 through Tuesday, August 18
10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Pecan Recreation Center
145 South Pecan Street
Los Angeles, CA 90033
Friday, August 14 through Monday, August 17
12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Salazar Park
3864 Whittier Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90023
Friday, August 14 through Sunday, August 16
12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Slauson Recreation Center
5306 Compton Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90011
Friday, August 14 through Monday, August 17
12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Las Palmas Park
505 South Huntington Street
San Fernando, CA 91340
Friday, August 14 through Sunday, August 16
12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Sherman Oaks East Valley Adult Center
5056 Van Nuys Boulevard
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Friday, August 14 through Monday, August 17
12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Stevenson Ranch Library
25950 The Old Road
Stevenson Ranch, CA 91381
Friday, August 14 through Sunday, August 16
12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Topanga Library
122 North Topanga Canyon Boulevard
Topanga, CA 90290
Friday, August 14 through Sunday, August 16
12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Quartz Hill Library
5040 West Avenue M-2
Quartz Hill, CA 93356
Friday, August 14 through Sunday, August 16
12:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

The County also reminds all members of the public to take the following extra precautions during hot weather:

• Avoid the sun– stay indoors from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. when the burning rays are strongest.
• Drink plenty of fluids– 2 to 4 glasses of water every hour during times of extreme heat.
• Replace salt and minerals– sweating removes salt and minerals from your body, so replenish these nutrients with low sugar fruit juices or sports drinks during exercise or when working outside.
• Avoid alcohol.
• Pace yourself– reduce physical activity and avoid exercising outdoors during peak heat hours.
• Wear appropriate clothing– wear a wide-brimmed hat and light-colored lightweight, loose-fitting clothes when you are outdoors.
• Stay cool indoors during peak hours – set your air conditioner between 75° to 80°. If you don’t have air conditioning, take a cool shower twice a day and/or visit a County Emergency Cooling Center. Find a local emergency cooling center at lacounty.gov/heat.
• Monitor those at high risk– check on elderly neighbors, family members and friends who do not have air conditioning. Infants and children up to 4 years old, people who overexert during work (e.g. construction workers) and people 65 years and older are at the highest risk of heat-related illnesses.
• Use sunscreenwith a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 if you need to be in the sun.
• Keep pets indoors– heat also affects your pets, so please keep them indoors. If they will be outside, make sure they have plenty of water and a shaded area to help them keep cool.

For more information on heat-related illnesses and prevention, please visit the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s website at publichealth.lacounty.gov.