Courtesy Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau
Editor’s note: This information was current as of 7:30 a.m., Thursday, March 19. The Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce website is updating regularly. Please also be advised the information was released prior to the issuing of California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s stay-at-home order.
The health and safety of both visitors and residents is our highest priority. The Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau, the City of Avalon, Catalina Island Medical Center, the Catalina Island Company, the Catalina Express and our community partners are closely monitoring the coronavirus situation and its impact on travel to Catalina Island. Please note that as of March 18, 2020, there are NO Known Cases of COVID-19 on Catalina Island.
We have added a COVID-19 update banner that appears at the top of each page on CatalinaChamber.com which clicks through to a Coronavirus Update & Information page. This page aims to provide all of the information available to us regarding living, working and visiting Catalina Island, and will be updated regularly as information becomes available. There you will find information from the President of the United States, the Governor of California, the California Department of Health, the Center of Disease Control and the City of Avalon, as well as:
• Island Business Closures
• Open Island Retail Locations
• Open Restaurants (for Take-Out/Delivery)
• Resources for Chamber Members
• LA County Public Health Advisory
• Catalina Island Medical Center Updates
• Community Business Member Messages
• Catalina Island Special CIMC COVID-19 Presentation March 17
• Catalina Island Medical Center’s Dr. Daniel Davis MD, FACEP presents an in-depth look at the coronavirus at the 3/17/20 Avalon City Council Meeting, covering what makes COVID-19 a unique threat and how and why we are attempting to prevent its spread within our community.
FREIGHT, TRANSPORTATION, GENERAL SERVICE UPDATES
• Catalina Express: The safety and security of passengers and employees are the top priorities at Catalina Express. Due to the rapidly changing situation of Coronavirus (COVID-19), Catalina Express will be operating at a very limited schedule from their Long Beach terminal starting on Friday, March 20. Catalina Express will be temporarily suspending service from our San Pedro and Dana Point terminals starting on Monday, March 23. At this time, we do not encourage any non-essential travel to Catalina Island.
• Catalina Express is closely monitoring the developments concerning COVID-19 and following the guidance of the Center for Disease Control (CDC), U.S. Coast Guard, US Travel Association and public health professionals. For the past several weeks, Catalina Express has implemented enhanced cleaning procedures and social distancing policy for the safety of passengers and employees. You can learn more about our heightened precautions at CatalinaExpress.com/Coronavirus.
• Catalina Flyer from Newport: (temporary cease of operation through April 3)
• Avalon Freight Service: operating as scheduled.
Due to high winds and high seas the Catalina Provider did not run Wednesday night, 3/18/20. AFS will send the Catalina Provider on Thursday afternoon 3/19/2020. Freight will be ready for pick up after 8 a.m. Friday 3/20/2020.
• City of Avalon/City Hall: staff working; City Hall closed to the public.
• Please call 310-510-0220 for assistance with resident subsidy cards, taxi vouchers, etc.
• Vehicle registration postponed-deadline to be extended.
• Check the City of Avalon coronavirus update and information page
• Avalon Harbor Department: staff/patrol operational; office on the Green Pleasure Pier closed to the public. Please call 310-510-0535 or use VHF radio or if in person, push the button at the bottom of the stairs for assistance. Mooring fees will be collected at individual boats by Harbor Patrol.
• Catalina Broadband: office closed until further notice
• Customer Service available by phone 877-202-1491 and email customerservice@catalinabbcom, 5 a.m.-7 p.m. (Mon-Fri) and 5 a.m.-5 p.m. (Sat); Technical Support is available 24/7.
• Avalon Public School: closed through April 20, 2020. However, the school is serving grab and go meals to students; breakfast 8-9 am, lunch 11am-noon.
• LBUSD School Closure Info
• US Bank: open, normal business hours
CATALINA ISLAND CHAMBER/BUREAU OFFICES
Admin offices above US Bank are closed; staff working remotely and available via email:
Jim Luttjohann: jluttjohann@catalinachamber.com
Cathy Miller: cmiller@catalinachamber.com
Michelle Warner: mwarner@catalinachamber.com
Janet DeMyer: jdemyer@catalinachamber.com
Victoria Johnson: bookkeeping@catalinachamber.com
The CICVB Visitor Center on the Green Pleasure Pier is open:
Hours: Mon-Sat 9am – 4pm; Sun 9am – 3pm
CATALINA ISLAND CONSERVANCY FACILITIES
Closed March 19 through Thursday April 30, 2020:
Trailhead Center – to close Thursday night
Eco-Tours – to close Thursday night
Nature Center – closed
Airport for non-essential services closed Thursday night
Air freight at Airport In The Sky to remain OPEN
Wildlands Express Van Services to close Thursday night
Biking on Conservancy Lands to close Thursday night
Campsites across Catalina Island Trail network to close Thursday night
Wrigley Memorial and Botanic Garden to close Thursday night
Conservancy Rangers – Active and on patrol
Conservancy Offices – active with minimal staffing
Last Friday Educational Lecture at Trailhead – closed for March and April
Naturalist Trainings – closed through April
All Conservancy Events canceled or postponed through April 30
ISLAND BUSINESS CLOSURES
Catalina Island Museum: through March 27, 2020.
Edgewater Hotel & Catalina Souvenir Shop: through end of March 2020.
Hotel Metropole: through end of March 2020.
Avalon Library: (part of the LA Country Library System): closed through March 31, 2020.
Maggie’s Blue Rose: through March 27, 2020.
Steve’s Steakhouse: through March 27, 2020.
Toyon Grill, El Galleon, Bluewater Grill
Three Palms Arcade, Sunkissed, Island Bliss, Catalina Pottery & Tile Co. and The Cove Restaurant at Holiday Inn (except grab-and-go items in hotel lobby).
Antonio’s Pizzeria & Cabaret:
Brown’s Bikes & Ciao-Baci: through April 3.
Avalon Grille: available for breakfast for hotel guests only.
Island Threadz
White Buffalo Thrift Store
Catalina Adventure Sailing
Lloyd’s of Avalon
Catalina Coffee & Cookie Co.
DC-3 Grill dining room and patio
ISLAND SPECIAL EVENTS
All island special events and gatherings set to occur in March and April have been cancelled or postponed with future dates TBD. Notice of cancellation or postponement has been added to each event in our online events calendar.
OPEN RETAIL LOCATIONS
Island Breeze Spa & Salon (open 10 am to 5 pm)
Catalina Vanity Studio
Island Rentals
The Steamer Trunk
Vons Grocery Store
Leo’s Drugstore
Chet’s Hardware (8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mon-Sat, 8 a.m.-noon Sun)
Avalon Pack & Ship (10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Mon-Fri, 10am – 5 p.m. Sat)
Island Toy Store + More (12-5:30 p.m.)
Abe’s Liquor Store (9am – midnight, daily)
RESTAURANTS WITH TAKE OUT ONLY
Original Antonio’s Pizzeria & Deli – take out (11am -8pm)
Original Jack’s Country Kitchen – take out (7am to 2pm)
Avalon Bake Shop & Mrs. T’s Chinese Kitchen – take out (6:30am-7:30pm)
Coyote Joe’s – (310) 510-1176
Cafe Metropole – Curbside service – (310) 510-9095
Buffalo Nickel – delivery & take out service – (310) 510-1323
Bistro at the Atwater
The Cove at Holiday Inn offers grab & go items in the hotel lobby. Open 24 hours with a limited selection of food, drinks & medicines.
The Lobster Trap – (310) 510-8585
Coney Island – (310) 510-0763
Eric’s at the Pier – (310) 510-0894 – take out (11am-3:30pm)
Mi Casita Mexican – (310) 510-1772 – free delivery & take out service
Topless Tacos – (310) 510-0100 – take out only
The Sandtrap – take out only
Catalina Island Brew House – take out only
DC3 Gifts & Grill – (310) 510-2196 – (Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.- 5 p.m./ Friday-Sunday 8 a.m.- 7 p.m.) Closing indefinitely on Monday, March 23.
DELIVERY SERVICES
• Catalina Island Eats – delivery service: orders@catalinaislandeats.com
• Catalina Transportation – $5 restaurant delivery fee: call 310-510-0025
• If you feel we are missing any information about your business and/or service, please let us know so we can add it. Call 310-510-1520 or email info@catalinachamber.com.
REQUEST FOR VOLUNTARY BUSINESS CLOSURES
March 20 – April 30
Dear Business Operators:
In recent meetings of key stakeholders it has been suggested that all non-essential businesses on the island join in a voluntary closure effective end of business day March 20, 2020 and until April 30, 2020. The request is being made in order to protect the well-being of island residents, workforce and visitors.
• Essential services that are NOT closing nor being asked to close include:
• Airport in the Sky—open for essential services only
• Avalon Freight Services—operating on usual schedule.
• Avalon School– cleaning and student meal services—operating per posted schedules.
• Chet’s Hardware–open a usual.
• Catalina Connect Cannabis Delivery–operating on demand.
• Casino Dock Fuel Station– open on a reduced schedule.
• Catalina Coastal Tours, Shore Boat Service–operating as usual.
• Catalina Express—operating on a reduced schedule with at-least two round-trips from Long Beach per day. San Pedro and Dana Point routes will be closed after an initial operation to ferry guests back to ports of origin.
• CIMC/Hospital and Emergency Room services—operating on usual schedules but with increased safety protocols in place.
• Catalina Island Conservancy Rangers–operating as usual.
• City of Avalon, including public works, trash services, transportation and emergency services.
• Community Church Food Bank–operating as usual.
• Flying Boats—operating on usual schedule.
• Leo’s Catalina Drug Store–operating on usual schedule.
• Meals on Wheels–services as usual.
• Pebbly Beach Gas Station–operating on usual schedule.
• Restaurants providing take-out, delivery or curb-side pick-up.
• SCE- no change in services but altered staffing and schedules.
• Taxi services –services as usual.
• Two Harbors General Store-open on usual schedule.
• US Post Office—operating on usual schedule.
• US Bank Branch—open on usual schedule.
• Vons Grocery—operating on usual schedule.
Businesses that feel their services ARE essential and are not included above are asked to contact Jim Luttjohann, president & CEO of the Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau at jluttjohann@catalinachamber.com or 310-510-7643. This list is subject to change as the COVID-19 situation evolves.
