Los Angeles County officials Tuesday will discuss the possible reopening of indoor shopping malls, hair salons and barbershops, with new state guidelines allowing such operations to resume with limitations to lower the risk of coronavirus spread.
The discussion will be held days ahead of the Labor Day weekend, amid concerns the holiday will lead to a repeat of coronavirus case spikes that followed Memorial Day and the Fourth of July.
The county announced another 16 deaths today due to the coronavirus, raising the countywide total to 5,784. Another 1,022 COVID-19 infections were also reported by the county, while Long Beach reported 32 and Pasadena added eight, raising the cumulative total since the start of the pandemic to 241,808.
A total of 1,043 people were hospitalized due to the virus as of Monday.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said the full board will meet with public health director Barbara Ferrer on Tuesday to discuss possible business openings under the state’s new four-tier virus-tracking guidelines.
“Our board will be discussing with Dr. Ferrer tomorrow the protocol moving forward, recognizing the state has allowed us to open and we want to do it in a very thoughtful process,” Barger said. “So tomorrow (Tuesday) we will be discussing it and make announcements hopefully by early afternoon.”
Under the new state guidelines, shopping malls can reopen with restrictions such as a 25% capacity limit and requiring common areas and food courts to remain closed. The guidelines also permit the reopening of indoor hair salons and barbershops, also with modifications.
But while such businesses began reopening in other counties Monday, Los Angeles County did not immediately revise its local health order, so those businesses were forced to remain closed. Local jurisdictions are authorized to enact restrictions more stringent than the state.
County health officials have been hesitant to move too quickly with new business reopenings, fearing a repeat of COVID-19 increases that followed earlier lifting of restrictions. It wasn’t immediately clear if the looming Labor Day weekend might impact the county’s decision.
During the county’s weekly coronavirus media briefing Monday, county Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis delivered the first in what is likely to be a week of pleas for residents to adhere to health precautions over the holiday.
“We need to continue to forego our traditional holiday traditions,” Davis said. “We know for sure that our holiday gatherings and parties can result in increases in transmissions, hospitalizations and deaths. The ability for us to reopen more fully relies on everyone doing their part, being smart of their choices and reducing their risk of exposure to COVID-19 every day.”
Asked if the county might consider a more drastic step for the weekend, such as closing the beaches, Davis said only that the county would “continue to watch our data to see what it looks like and see if there’s any increased risk.”
He noted that the weather is expected to be hot over the weekend, and he urged people to stick to the basic infection-control procedures.
“First, only gather with members of your household this holiday weekend,” Davis said. “There is so much more to do together in our beautiful county. Explore a trail or have a picnic at one of our beautiful beaches early in the day. If you’re outside of your home and around others, please wear a face covering.
“Always use your own utensils, cups, food and drinks and do not share with others. Avoid crowds and be flexible and willing to change plans or move to a different location if you find yourself in a crowded area. And once again avoid confined spaces, especially places where you can’t stay more than three steps away from others. … And if you’re sick and have been exposed to someone who is positive for COVID-19, please stay at home, isolate and quarantine as appropriate. Remember, these actions save lives.”
As of today, the number of confirmed COVID-19 infections in West Hollywood is 499, an increase of two from Sunday’s count. The Health Department’s COVID-19 database today reports that the number of West Hollywood residents who have died of COVID-19 related illnesses is five.
In Beverly Hills, the number of confirmed remains at 613. The number of COVID-19 related deaths in Beverly Hills remains at 11. The number of COVID-19 infection confirmed among Culver City residents has increased by two to 372. The number of deaths remains at 29. Hollywood has seven newly confirmed infections, bringing its total to date is 1,062. The number of deaths has increase by one to a total of 12. The Melrose neighborhood has 13 new confirmed infections, bringing its total to date to 1,750. The number of COVID-19 related deaths remains at 67.
Public Health has a dedicated call line for confirmed cases of COVID-19. If you are positive for COVID-19 and have not yet connected with a public health specialist or need more information on services, call toll-free at 1 (833) 540-0473. Residents who do not have COVID-19 can continue to call 211 for resources or more information.
One way the virus can be transmitted is through a cough, a sneeze or even through air that comes from the mouth when someone talks. For that reason, residents must wear face coverings when out in public and can be cited for not doing so. The citations come with a $250 fine and a $50 administrative fee.
West Hollywood residents with questions about the COVID-19 pandemic or who are looking for resources to deal with it can find answers on the City of West Hollywood’s website. Here is a list of links to sections about particular subjects and issues:
