Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti spoke about the COVID-19 pandemic Sunday night, announcing several closures, plans to keep the city moving forward and answering questions submitted from reporters in a sort of virtual press conference.
Garcetti announced that he was taking executive action to close bars, nightclubs and movie theaters beginning at midnight until Mar. 31. He also placed restrictions on restaurants, announcing that while Angelenos were encouraged to order takeout and delivery, restaurants are not allowed to have patrons dine-in at their establishments.
Here's a look at businesses impacted by the announcement.
- All bars and nightclubs that do not serve food.
- All movie theaters, live performance venues, bowling alleys, and arcades.
- All gyms and fitness centers.
- All private social clubs.
- In addition, all restaurants and retail food facilities will be prohibited from serving food to dine-in customers.
The mayor will hold daily briefings until these establishments are allowed to reopen.
There are some exceptions to the order:
- Restaurants, as well as bars and nightclubs that serve food, may continue to prepare and offer food to customers via delivery service or take-out.
- Houses of worship are urged to limit large gatherings on their premises and to explore and implement ways to practice their respective faiths while observing social distancing practices.
- Cafeterias in hospitals, nursing homes, or similar facilities will be allowed to continue operations.
- Grocery stores, pharmacies, and food banks will also be allowed to continue operations.
Garcetti also said there was no need for "panic-buying," and assured that there was no shortage of food or water.
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"Those folks that are buying for more than a week of food, buying for a month or even months of food, this is the effect that it's having. Some people who need food, can't get it," Garcetti said.
The mayor also warned the public against the spread of misinformation, encouraging people to be wary of official-sounding robocalls with fraudulent information.
“I would encourage you to only go to those official sources, LACity.org [and] lacounty.gov to get information,” he said.
A loan-assistance program is also in the works, to immediately help 400 businesses most impacted by the closures.
Finally, he encouraged the public that felt inclined to donate to the efforts of frontline workers do so at coronavirus.LACity.org.
Please check back for updates.
