As we head into this weekend, I want to make sure you have the information you need to make informed decisions and help protect our communities.

I know it’s tempting to embrace the warm weather and head to your favorite beach or hiking trail.

But I can’t say this enough: you need to stay home.

Beaches and public trails will remain closed. Sports and recreation facilities, fields and playgrounds, skateparks and pools — all will remain closed.

What you choose to do this weekend will directly impact Los Angeles in the weeks ahead: the more Angelenos who gather in crowded locations, the more this virus spreads, the longer the Safer at Home orders will last, the more people will get sick, and the more people will die. 

Staying home will have the opposite effect: our case numbers will drop. The spread of the virus will slow. And we will be able to start reopening sooner.

By remaining indoors and following the rules, you are protecting your neighbors, your loved ones, and yourself.

Cooling centers for our most vulnerable:
Temperatures are high and rising this weekend. And for those without access to air conditioning — especially for seniors and people with serious health conditions — that heat can pose serious risks.

For Angelenos who need it, we’re opening our cooling centers in areas expecting high temperatures, in partnership with L.A. County. Cooling centers will be open from 12 to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 25. 

Let me be absolutely clear: these centers are only for the people who might not be able to survive the heat wave at home. So, if you can stay home, please do.

To keep everyone safe, visitors will be screened before entering, required to wear face coverings, and must follow strict physical distancing practices.

You can find location information at Emergency.LACity.org/Heat.

More updates:

• Expanded testing for frontline workers: We’re expanding testing for critical workers who are on the front lines of this crisis, even for those without COVID-19 symptoms. This includes our first responders, health care professionals, grocery store workers, and critical government personnel. More information is available at Coronavirus.LACity.org/Testing.
• Protecting nursing home residents: We’re also taking action to expand testing at skilled nursing facilities. With the County Department of Public Health mandating additional health measures at congregate healthcare facilities, I have enacted a companion emergency order requiring that skilled nursing facilities in the City of Los Angeles provide COVID-19 diagnostic tests for residents and workers every month. Operators of these facilities may request testing assistance from our City’s Emergency Operations Center by visiting Coronavirus.LACity.org/Testing.
• Meals for seniors: Our Emergency Senior Meals Response program is making a massive difference for our most vulnerable Angelenos. So far, we have doubled the number of weekly meals and expanded the number of seniors receiving food — scaling up from 25,000 meals a week to 120,000. If you are over 60 years of age and in need of a home-delivered meal or know someone who is, please call 213-263-5226 or visit Coronavirus.LACity.org/SeniorMeals.

We are continuing to update our website with the latest information and resources to help you. You can find more at Coronavirus.LACity.org. If you missed any of our recent briefings, you can also catch up with our podcast on Apple Podcasts and the Google Play Store.

I know these times are hard. And many of us are growing restless — tired of these restrictions and eager to get back to work, back with our friends, back to our faith communities.

But we have to keep at it. Because your actions are working. Your sacrifices are making a difference. And when we look back on this time, we will be proud of all we did as a city.

So let’s continue to do our part –– to stay healthy, stay safe, and stay at home.

Strength and love, Los Angeles.

Eric Garcetti
Your Mayor