Coronavirus: LA County, city issue new 'Safe at Home' restrictions on businesses, activities amid COVID-19 pandemic
LOS ANGELES -- Los Angeles County and city health officials Thursday ordered sweeping new restrictions asking nonessential businesses to close and residents to stay at home as much as possible to help contain the coronavirus.
RELATED: Everything you need to know about the Bay Area's shelter-in-place order
The "Safer at Home" order calls for nonessential businesses to cease operations that require workers to be present in person.
Residents should stay at home when not participating in essential activities like shopping for food, hardware supplies and medication. Gatherings should not be held beyond people inside a single home.
"The only time you should leave your home is for essential activities and needs," Mayor Eric Garcetti said.
WATCH: Mayor Eric Garcetti's full statement announcing "Safer at Home" order
The order took effect Thursday at midnight for most and Friday at 11:59 p.m. for workers in businesses. It will last through April 19, possibly longer.
LA County public health director Barbara Ferrer said the order includes:
CLOSED/PROHIBITED:
- All public and private group events and gatherings of 10 or more people are prohibited anywhere in LA County. Smaller groups can gather if the organizer can guarantee social distancing of six feet and access to hand-washing or hand sanitizer.
- Indoor malls, indoor shopping centers and nonessential retail businesses must close.
- Indoor and outdoor playgrounds for children, except those at a child care center, must close.
EXCEPTIONS:
These businesses and services will be allowed to continue. However, they must continue to practice social distancing and other protective measures.
- Grocery stores, supermarkets, food banks, farmer markets, schools and child care centers.
- Businesses and organizations that provide food, shelter, social services and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged people.
- Gas stations, banks and financial institutions and hardware stores can remain open.
- Plumbers and electricians can continue to operate.
- Transportation services and residential facilities can continue to operate.
Alcalde de Los Angeles ordena a los residentes mantenerse en casa para limitar la expansion del coronavirus
The order is coming as the number of coronavirus cases in Los Angeles County continues to sharply increase. Earlier Thursday, health officials said Los Angeles County has 231 cases, including two deaths.
Gov. Gavin Newsom says state officials project that as much as 56% of the state's population - some 25.5 million Californians - could be infected over an eight-week period.
Worldwide, the number of cases has exceeded 242,000 with more than 9,800 deaths, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. In the United States, the number of cases has risen to more than 13,000, with at least 175 deaths. California has seen 18 of those deaths.
Stay up to date with the latest stories, videos and live updates on the novel coronavirus pandemic here.
RELATED STORIES & VIDEOS:
- Get the latest live updates on the novel coronavirus pandemic
- Bay Area cancelations, closures related to COVID-19
- Symptoms, prevention, and how to prepare for a COVID-19 outbreak in the US
- List of stores, companies closing due to coronavirus pandemic
- Canceled late fees, free services available amid COVID-19 crisis
- Here's how you can help during COVID-19 pandemic
- Coronavirus in CA: Get resources and information about COVID-19
- Bay Area school closures related to coronavirus pandemic
- How to maintain learning during school closures
- How coronavirus compares with the flu
- No masks but here are 100+ products that may help protect you against novel coronavirus germs
- Busting COVID-19 coronavirus myths: Facts from the Centers for Disease Control
- Here's a look at some of history's worst pandemics that have killed millions
- Asian community fighting racism, xenophobia, bigotry as world fights COVID-19
