All city and county parks will close Saturday night and reopen on Monday morning, to avoid the traditional gathering of families and other groups for Easter Sunday and help contain the spread of coronavirus.
The Los Angeles County Department of Parks & Recreation said Tuesday the closure includes “all botanic gardens, lakes, and local, community and regional parks.” On Wednesday, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti issued a similar order extended to city-operated facilities.
Already, city and county beaches and trailheads are closed, as well as public golf courses, park buildings, gyms, playgrounds and all sports and play facilities –all part of a countywide effort to enforce “stay at home” orders and social distancing recommendations.
Face masks required for shoppers and store employees
Beginning Thursday at midnight, grocery stores, pharmacies and other essential businesses in the city will be allowed to refuse service to customers who are not wearing face masks. And workers in these businesses and in restaurants, hotels, taxis and rideshare vehicles and other non-medical essential businesses will have to wear the masks as well.
LAist reported that an order issued on Wednesday by Garcetti requires employers to provide the protective masks for workers or reimburse them for the cost. These businesses must also provide their employees with access to clean and sanitary restrooms with plenty of soap and sanitizer and to allow employees to wash their hands every 30 minutes.
The City of Los Angeles has a web page dedicated to “companies and organizations interested in producing and requesting essential protective gear for Angelenos during COVID-19,” including the masks.
