With 231 confirmed Coronavirus cases in Los Angeles, Mayor Eric Garcetti announced today that all LA residents will be ordered to stay in their homes beginning at midnight until April 19.
Garcetti’s announcement comes days after San Francisco’s similar “shelter in place” Public Health Order was put in place, and will only allow people to leave for “essential activities”—commuting to work is not one of them. Under this mandatory order, LA residents must stay inside their homes unless absolutely necessary. But why now? According to the statement:
“This Emergency Order is being issued now because it is urgent that we slow and stop the spread of COVID-19 in the City of Los Angeles.
The virus spreads easily, and this Order is intended to prevent the spread of this disease from overwhelming our healthcare system. The goal here is to “flatten the curve” to slow down the spread of the virus and ensure we have adequate health care resources for those who get sick with COVID-19 and those who need emergency medical care for accidents, heart attacks, strokes, and other routine medical conditions. “
The announcement goes on to state that while people are out for necessary tasks, they must keep at least 6-feet distance between others. Activities such as walking, biking, and hiking will only be allowed if that 6-foot distance is kept. Under these new regulations,
YOU CAN …
- Go to the grocery store
- Go to the pharmacy to pick up medications and other healthcare necessities
- Go to medical appointments (check with your doctor or provider first)
- Go to a restaurant for take-out, delivery or drive-thru
- Care or support a friend or family member
- Take a walk, ride your bike, or jog around your neighborhood exercise — just keep at least six feet between you and others in the community.
- Walk your pets and take them to the veterinarian if necessary
- Help someone to get necessary supplies
YOU SHOULD NOT …
- Go to work unless you are providing essential services as defined by this Order
- Visit friends and family if there is no urgent need
- Maintain less than 6 feet of distance from others when you go out, as possible
- Travel to or from a job outside the City, unless to perform essential activities
- Travel to or from a vacation home outside the City
- Visit loved ones in the hospital, nursing home, skilled nursing facility, or other residential care facility
These new regulations is a legally enforceable order, with violations punishable by fine or imprisonment. The “essential activities” that will remain open for residents include:
- City/County government services:
- Police stations
- Fire stations
- Jails
- Courts
- Garbage/sanitation
- Public Transportation
- Water, power, and gas utilities
- Public works construction, including construction of housing
- Airport and Port operations
- Gas service stations, auto supply, auto repair, bicycle repair shops and related facilities.
- Health care providers, including:
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Dentists
- Pharmacies
- Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies
- Medical and scientific research
- Laboratories
- Healthcare suppliers
- Home healthcare services providers
- Veterinary care providers
- Mental health providers
- Physical therapists and chiropractors
- Cannabis dispensaries, or any related and/or ancillary healthcare services
- Manufacturers and suppliers
- Healthcare operations does not include fitness and exercise gyms and similar facilities
- Food providers, including:
- Grocery stores
- Water retailers
- Certified farmers’ markets
- Farm and produce stands
- Supermarkets
- Convenience stores
- Warehouse stores
- Food banks
- Convenience stores
- Take-out from restaurants, drive-thru restaurants, and delivery from restaurants
- Food cultivation, including farming, livestock, and fishing
- Hardware stores and nurseries
- Plumbers, electricians, exterminators, custodial/janitorial workers, handyman services, funeral home workers and morticians, moving services, HVAC installers, carpenters, landscapers, gardeners, property managers, private security personnel and other service providers who provide services to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation to properties and other essential activities
- Banks, credit unions, financial institutions and insurance companies.
- Organizations and businesses that provide food, shelter, and social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals, (including gang prevention and intervention and domestic violence agencies).
- Laundromats/laundry service
- Newspapers, magazines, television, radio, podcasts and other media services
- Educational institutions, including public and private K-12 schools, colleges, and universities — for purposes of facilitating distance learning or performing essential functions provided that social distancing of six-feet per person is maintained to the greatest extent possible
The Emergency Order can be shortened or lengthened at any time.