L.A. Restricts Restaurants, Retailers to Control Coronavirus

L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti has mandated temporary restrictions for retail businesses within the City of Los Angeles to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. In a video press conference on Sunday, Garcetti announced all restaurants and food facilities are prohibited from serving food to dine-in customers. Take-out, drive-through and delivery services are allowed to continue. Also, the mayor mandated all bars and nightclubs to close, including those that do not serve food; gyms and fitness centers; entertainment venues such as movie theaters, live performance venues, bowling alleys and arcades; and private social clubs. In the San Fernando Valley, these restrictions apply as far north as Sylmar and Grenada Hills, as far south as Studio City and Sherman Oaks, as far west as West Hills and Woodland Hills, and as far East as Tujunga. They do not apply to Burbank, Calabasas and Glendale, which are separate cities. The restrictions, designed to prevent people from gathering in large numbers in close proximity, will be effective through March 31, unless they are rescinded or extended. “I want to stress that I have not taken these steps lightly,” Garcetti said in the video. “We need to take these steps to protect our city right now.” Grocery stores, pharmacies and food banks are allowed to continue operating as usual, as are cafeterias in hospitals, nursing homes and similar facilities. Many of these essential stores have been inundated with large crowds as shoppers stock up, preparing to self-quarantine in their homes for days or weeks. Garcetti attended a meeting Monday with several grocery chain executives at a Ralph’s food distribution center in Paramount to discuss the region’s grocery supply. “I’m imploring Angelenos not to overbuy and not to panic buy,” Garcetti said. “Supply chains are completely uninterrupted and there is no shortage of food. … Hoarding is hurting our most vulnerable Angelenos – folks who need food but are unable to get it or unable to wait in those lines.”