NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.—Newport Beach temporarily closed City Hall and its community centers Jan. 3 amid a surge of COVID-19 cases across Orange County due to the Omicron variant. Despite the closure, the city says it is working to ensure all city services continue, though some will be conducted through virtual and drop-off services. “Our highest priority is to maintain services and service levels to the community during this time,” a city statement reads. For residents who need to turn in paper documents, payments, or other items to the permit counter, they will be able to utilize drop-off bins placed outside of city hall instead, which were used in previous COVID-19 shutdowns. Bills can be paid online and over the phone. “We anticipate these protocols will be in place for at least two weeks, through mid-January. However, we are carefully monitoring the COVID Omicron outbreak in consultation with Hoag Hospital and …