As of this afternoon, all bars and fitness centers in West Hollywood and the rest of Los Angeles County have been ordered to close, and restaurants can only offer food for takeout and delivery. The decision by Los Angeles County officials includes a ban on gatherings of more than 50 people.
Grocery stores, pharmacies and food banks will remain open.
The sweeping order to close the bar and gym businesses and restrict the restaurant businesses is the county’s response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic, which already has infected at least 94 people in Los Angeles County. The WeWork co-working space at the Pacific Design Center was closed Sunday in response to what appears to be the first reported COVID-19 infection in West Hollywood.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced a similar closure in his city late last night. The West Hollywood City Council tonight will consider declaring a local emergency, which will give the city manager greater power to coordinate with other public agencies to deal with the virus and take steps to stop the spread of it. Some have criticized West Hollywood’s government for not acting as quickly as has Garcetti. However, Los Angeles and other large cities are “charter” cities, which have their own constitutions that give their mayors greater power than is available to the city managers of “general law” cities like West Hollywood.
Several of West Hollywood’s bars and nightclubs already have begun shutting down. David Cooley, owner of the Abbey Bar and Restaurant, announced on Friday that it was closing temporarily because of the virus. Early on Sunday afternoon, PUMP had posted a sign noting that it would be closing at 4 p.m. And Revolver already had closed its doors. Other bars in the gay nightlife district like Micky’s, Flaming Saddles, and Rocco’s were busy on Sunday, with the crowd at Rocco’s sparking a social media blast from Justin Tranter, the songwriter, at Lance Bass, famed as a singer with the boy pop band NSYNC and an investor in Rocco’s.
“Dear LGBTQ community and Roccos WeHo, you are way smarter than this. Shut this s–t down now,” Tranter tweeted.
Alex Manos, owner of Rocco’s Restaurant Group, told WEHOville earlier today that Rocco’s already has decided only offer food for take-out and delivery.
“We’re going under the mandate of the LA City Mayor, which happened yesterday,” Manos said, citing Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s declaration that bars, restaurants, gyms, movie theatres and other public entertainment places must be closed.
The nightlife scene on Sunday was much quieter on Sunset Boulevard, where hotels are struggling to deal with cancellations of room reservations by tourists. Santa Monica Boulevard on the city’s Eastside, the location of bars and restaurants like Delilah and Harlowe’s, was more quiet than usual on Sunday afternoon.
Could be a silver lining here. Getting rid of the seedy bars would improve the area.
Hysteria. Out-of-control hysteria.
…until your parents, grandparents, favorite elementary school teacher, or elderly neighbor dies because your need to be out socializing matters more than the lives of those vulnerable to this virus. The only thing you’re being asked to do is take a seat.
It’s way overrated. 600,000 people died from a flu, and just because less than 500 died from corona its suddenly an epidemic. People are stupid.
Come on, the gym, really. I’m a high school student, what else am I supposed to do, sit at home and play video games and invest in a market that goes down 7% a day? NO, I want to lift weights, and get epic gains. Cardio, Bicep machines, and POST WORKOUT POOL SWIM!! OPEN THE GYMSSSSS!!
Jog outside. Read a book.
Went hiking, still prefer the gym
“Some have criticized West Hollywood’s government for not acting as quickly as has Garcetti. However, Los Angeles and other large cities are “charter” cities, which have their own constitutions that give their mayors greater power than is available to the city managers of “general law” cities like West Hollywood.” – That is no excuse. I would like the City to site anything in writing which caused West Hollywood to be two weeks behind the curve. West Hollywood needs to stop calling itself the “Progressive City”. What is progressive about waiting for other Cities to take action before West Hollywood took… Read more »