We will get through this critical time together. I will make sure Los Angeles County provides a measure of relief to impacted families and small business owners. Today, I announced an emergency moratorium on all residential and commercial evictions effective retroactively beginning March 4 through May 31 in unincorporated areas of LA County. I know many workers and small business owners have been affected by LA County’s order to close locations where groups of people may gather. I want to assure you I have heard your pleas for help and we are responding to support our small businesses. For more information on the moratorium, call the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs at 800-593-8222. If you are an employee affected by reduced hours due to the coronavirus outbreak, you may qualify for unemployment insurance. You could file a claim online at edd.ca.gov or at (800) 300-5616.
I want to remind everyone that as of yesterday, all bars, entertainment venues, theaters, and gyms, in the County of Los Angeles were ordered to close their doors. Despite this precautionary measure, I urge everyone to support their neighborhood restaurants by ordering take-out or delivery. Restaurants will remain open for take-out or delivery orders.
Grocery stores will also stay open. However, please only buy what you need and resist the urge to hoard. Our grocery stores are working round the clock to stock up their shelves to make sure we all have the necessary items we need to get through this. Giving in to panic-buying strains grocery stores and puts unnecessary stress on our neighbors and residents. There is no need to over buy produce, toiletries, or other food staples. Our food supply chain will carry us through for months.
Along with all other County buildings, my First District offices are closed to public access as we all do our part to try to slow the spread of COVID-19. Nevertheless, we remain accessible and responsive through our main office phone lines and email at firstdistrict@bos.lacounty.gov. My priority is the health and well-being of our residents and County workforce.
Though you may be healthy and believe that COVID-19 may not affect you, please think of our vulnerable residents who may be more susceptible to contracting COVID-19. It’s important that we all practice social distancing by avoiding gatherings, staying at home, and maintaining six feet of distance from others especially in gatherings of 10-49 individuals. Without a vaccine, social distancing is our most effective tool in containing the spread of COVID-19.
For the latest updates on the coronavirus, tune into the daily briefings by the LA County Department of Public Health on its Facebook page.
Visit my webpage for a list of resources and helpful links. I will continue to provide updates to our community as we move forward.
To learn how COVID-19 is impacting County services, please visit the County’s “Cancellations, Closures, and Modifications” webpage.
Together, we will get through this difficult period.
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Contact: Rosa Maria Santana, Deputy Communications Director, 213-359-0795 or rsantana@bos.lacounty.gov