On Tuesday, May 12 Irvine Public Safety officials presented to the Irvine City Council a detailed, four stage plan to reopen the city as safely as possible. 

Part of Irvine’s plan included strategies for free antigen testing, the expansion of outdoor dining options, and lifting restrictions on tennis and pickleball courts.

A big takeaway from Tuesday’s meeting was the unanimous approval of an antigen testing program for all Irvine residents. The Irvine City Council approved a $95,000 antigen testing option that will produce approximately 380 tests per day, in a drive-through format.

Beginning May 26, Irvine will provide residents with antigen drive-through testing, located at the Orange County Great Park, and will accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists. Test will be free to Irvine residents even “if they are asymptomatic, and antibody testing will be available as an ‘add-on’ at a cost of $10 per person,” according to Irvine Public Information Officer Melissa Haley.

As health experts continually cite the need for accurate antibody tests in order to reopen society as safely as possible, Irvine Vice Mayor Mike Carroll said he was proud to offer free testing to residents.

“We want to extend testing to as many people as possible; adding antigen and antibody testing will reinforce the expansive health and safety efforts we have put in place since day one.”

The city also voted to lift restrictions on tennis and pickleball courts. While social distancing protocol remains in place, Irvine will allow for one-on-one city-led instruction. Courts will reopen Friday, May 15.

The City Council also voted on the expansion of outdoor dining. Pete Carmichael, Director of Community Development for the city of Irvine presented an option that would seek permits for outdoor dining at restaurants.

“We are starting to put the pieces into place to facilitate the reopening of dine-in restaurants and retail in the community, so we are ready at such time that public health officials allow us to do that,” Carmichael said. 

This would require the use of Irvine’s special event permitting process that would ensure plans are safe. The streamlined process would utilize patios, common areas and parking areas, where dispersed seating will maximize social distancing in an open air environment.

“Working with the Irvine Company, and other retailers, what we’re recommending is a 45 day period for the opportunity for administrative renewals through city staff,” he said. “This is not recommended for opening today, but to have a process in place that we can be up and running with at such time as dine-in restaurants and more of our retail establishments are allowed to open.”

Irvine will be addressing more COVID-19 related concerns during a Virtual Town Hall Meeting on Thursday. May 14 at 3:00 p.m.

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