Los Angeles Mayor Closes Beach Parking, Public Recreation Facilities Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

Mayor Garcetti speaks at his daily press conference with updates on Coronavirus. Image courtesy of Eric Garcetti via Flickr.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced on Sunday that the City would be adopting stricter "Safer at Home" measures following residents' failure to heed social distancing mandates.

As the number of Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Los Angeles continues to increase, residents — with the exception of essential workers — have been ordered to remain at home as much as possible. If venturing outside, however, residents must maintain a strict distance of at least six feet away from one another. 

Over the weekend, however, a large number of Angelenos seemingly ignored the mandate, flocking in droves to public recreation facilities.

"This weekend we saw images of too many people crowding beaches or canyons beyond their capacity. Too many people, too close together, too often. The longer we do that, the more people will get sick and the more people will die," Mayor Garcetti said during Sunday's press briefing. 

Images of throngs of people biking on beach boardwalks, hiking in groups in Griffith Park's Runyon canyon, and golfing together flooded the internet over the weekend. Although the City's "Safer at Home" mandate states that residents are allowed to go outside for exercise or to walk their pets, Angelenos must maintain at least six feet of distance from each other. 

As a result of the failure to heed the social distancing mandate, the City, in consultation with the Department of Public Health, has now closed all group sport and recreation at parks, including public golf courses. In addition, parking lots near Venice Beach will be closed starting Monday in order to keep crowds away from the Venice boardwalk. The City of Santa Monica has also closed their parking lots near the beach.

Mayor Garcetti added that if necessary, beaches would close altogether. 

"It doesn't mean that it's time to find another place to get together," Garcetti warned. "This is serious. Six feet matters. There are no exceptions to that rule unless you are a first responder or a critical worker. None." 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Coronavirus spreads mainly from person-to-person, between people who are within six feet of each other. Although the virus spreads more commonly through people who show symptoms of the disease (e.g. coughing, sneezing, etc.), it can also be spread by people who show no symptoms whatsoever. 

This is why government and public health officials are urging people to maintain at least six feet of distance from each other. Even if someone does not feel or appear to be ill, they may still be carrying the virus and spreading it to others. 

"Your decision to not physically distance yourself may kill someone," Garcetti said. "This isn't just about you; it's about all of us. Everyone. Don't take risks. Don't mess around. Don't be selfish."

As of Sunday afternoon, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reports 409 Coronavirus cases including five deaths in LA County, including Long Beach and Pasadena.