By Lookout Staff

October 12, 2020 -- Street performers in Santa Monica must wear face coverings and cannot play for audiences under an emergency order issued by the City Monday.

The City also stopped issuing permits for performers at the Pier, Third Street Promenade and Transit Mall through the rest of the year.

Street performers will not be allowed in those spaces "during their most crowded times," after 12 p.m. Monday through Friday and on weekends and holidays, officials said.

"During other times, the order prohibits street performers in those spaces from encouraging persons to gather to observe the performance," City officials said.

The order "requires performers to comply with all County social distancing requirements, including wearing face coverings."

“The restrictions for street performers ensures our local program aligns with LA County rules around not gathering and events," said Constance Farrell, the City's spokesperson.

"We look forward to a time in the future when our public spaces are enlivened with artists in permitted locations, but for now, the focus is on public health,” Farrell said.

The Twenty-Seventh Supplemental Order also authorizes the Director of the Community Development Department to issue regulations to authorize businesses to post curbside pickup signs on parking meters adjacent to or near the business.

It also authorizes the director to designate spaces in public parking lots where the City may post curbside pickup signs

In addition, the director can issue temporary use permits for certain uses allowed by the County Safer at Home Order, including temporary outdoor sales and special events, for a period longer than 45 days but less than 180 days.

The supplemental order also "temporarily suspends certain Municipal Code requirements regarding procedures relating to HUD Community Development Block Grants that are inconsistent with HUD procedures adopted in light of the COVID-19 pandemic."

For the latest information visit santamonica.gov/coronavirus, or call the City’s Coronavirus Hotline at (310) 458-8400.