Dear Visitors:
We’re asking anyone who is not a primary resident of Catalina Island or providing essential services to our residents NOT to visit Catalina for the time being. The reason is simple: as a small, remote island community our healthcare facilities lack the capacity to handle a widespread outbreak of COVID-19. Additionally, services in Mammoth Lakes are currently extremely limited. Catalina restaurants (excluding takeout services), bars and other public spaces are temporarily closed due to county-mandated health orders. Public gatherings have also been prohibited by the Los Angeles County Public Health Officer.
We know that the CDC, WHO and the state of California government officials are recommending social distancing, and Catalina Island might seem like the perfect place for that, we also fully understand the inclination to seek escape in the outdoors during difficult times, but the reality is that doing so right now risks lives.
This is a hard message for us to send, as we know how many of you cherish the island, but we ask you to respect our community and this request to stay home for now. If we all work together to do the right thing during this public health crisis, we’ll all be able to enjoy Catalina Island in a responsible and respectful way sooner rather than later.
For additional information from local health and travel organizations, visit the Catalina Island COVID-19 microsite or the City of Avalon COVID-19 information page..
Thank you,
Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau
P.S. Per National and State directives, essential services remain operational on the island.
