"No, we won't be shutdown for 3 more months" Garcetti clears confusion over Safer at Home order
LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti is clearing up some confusion from comments made earlier this week concerning the Safer at Home order being extended.
During his press briefing Wednesday evening he addressed the public and assured people that Los Angeles won’t be shutdown for the summer.
“No, we won’t be shutdown for three more months. That’s not what I heard, that’s not what I expect, that’s not what I hope,” Garcetti said.
“Today was a great day for LA as people went back to our iconic beaches,” he added.
On Tuesday, county public health director Barbara Ferrer created a stir when she told the county Board of Supervisors that some form of public health restrictions will likely be in place at least another three months due to the continuing threat of the coronavirus. The remark, made during a debate over a proposed moratorium on evictions, quickly made headlines and prompted groans from residents growing weary of business closures, stay-at-home orders and shuttered restaurants and bars.
RELATED: More businesses allowed to reopen while 'Safer at Home' Order extended indefinitely
Dr. Ferrer issued an apology Wednesday afternoon and said her comment was taken out of context.
Garcetti says after the comments were made several people messaged him and his phone ‘blew up’ with questions and comments.
The current health order was set to expire May 15. Mayor Garcetti says an order will likely be in place for the time being. The updated Safer at Home order has no end date to it. But Garcetti said it doesn’t mean Los Angeles will be in a lockdown forever.
On a day that four dozen more COVID-19 deaths were announced, Los Angeles County issued a new, open-ended public health order allowing all retail businesses to reopen for curbside merchandise pickup only, except those located inside indoor shopping malls.
RELATED: Los Angeles County announces new 'Safer-at-Home' order with no end date
Also authorized to reopen were manufacturers that supply goods to lower-risk businesses, along with recreational facilities such as tennis and pickleball courts, shooting and archery ranges, equestrian centers, model airplane centers, community gardens and bike parks.
The county also authorized individual cities to temporarily close some streets to automobile traffic to provide additional space for residents to engage in outdoor recreation.
RELATED: Stay up to date on all coronavirus-related information
The loosened restrictions were included in a new "Safer At Home'' public health order, replacing one that was set to expire Friday. The new order -- which continues to urge people to stay home as much as possible, engage in social distancing and wear face coverings when interacting in public -- has no
expiration date, an indication such mandates will be in place for months to come.
City News Service contributed to this report
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