I know this has been a difficult week. The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has disrupted daily life for people across our city — and I know many Angelenos are worried about what it means for our lives, our livelihoods, and our loved ones.

What each of us does today will have a direct impact on what happens tomorrow. That’s why I’m taking emergency action to stop large gatherings of people in the City of L.A., so that we can further strengthen our work to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Effective 11:59 p.m. tonight, the following establishments within the City of Los Angeles will be temporarily closed to the public:

• Bars and nightclubs that do not serve food;
• Movie theaters and live performance venues;
• Bowling alleys and arcades; and,
• Gyms and fitness centers

The following restrictions will also apply:

• All restaurants are prohibited from serving food to dine-in customers, but may continue to offer food via delivery, takeout, or drive-through

These restrictions do not apply to:

• Grocery stores––and there is no shortage of food or interruption of our food supply;
• Cafeterias within hospitals, nursing homes, and similar facilities

Additionally, no landlord shall evict a residential tenant in the City of Los Angeles during this local emergency period if the tenant is able to show an inability to pay rent due to circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is not an easy path, but the City is committed to supporting all businesses, restaurants, and workers impacted by these decisions.

These steps are informed by the guidance of experts at the Centers for Disease Control and taken in coordination with our partners at every level of government. They will slow the spread of COVID-19 and help to prevent a dangerous strain on our hospitals and healthcare workers.

As we undertake these efforts together, many Angelenos are eager to know what they can do to help. To answer this call, the Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles has created the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund. You can donate to this fund to help support families, provide critical services, and strengthen our emergency response.

Finally, remember that we are all first responders, and we must each do our part to protect vulnerable Angelenos. Avoid non-essential travel, wash your hands thoroughly and frequently, stay home as much as you can, and practice social distancing.

For accurate and timely updates, visit CDC.gov, PublicHealth.LACounty.gov, and LAMayor.org/Coronavirus. And don’t forget to sign up for NotifyLA, our city’s mass notification system.

We are working around-the-clock and doing everything we can to keep you safe, healthy, and secure.

This may be one of our greatest challenges yet, but Angelenos have always risen to meet the moment. I know we will do so once again.

Share this information with your family, friends, and colleagues, so we can all do our part to protect our community and our city.

This is a moment for preparation, not panic. A moment to be kind and generous and to show the very best of the Angeleno spirit. And I know that each of us will do our part to stay vigilant, stay informed, and help limit the spread of this virus. 

We will get through this together –– in Los Angeles, we always do.

Eric Garcetti
Your Mayor