LA Turning Community Centers Into Shelters Amid Coronavirus

LOS ANGELES, CA — Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has said the city is continuing to turn community and recreation centers into homeless shelters in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak, and he implored residents to continue heeding orders to stay home.

"I made each one of the decisions that I've made this week with a heavy heart but with a clear mind," Garcetti said Friday regarding the stay-at- home mandate. "This is a critical moment, but it is your responsibility to adhere to these orders. We have the power to prevent this health crisis from getting worse."

Garcetti said he will visit homeless shelters and meet with city staff Saturday, but he will not give what have been daily public updates on the city's response to the virus outbreak until Sunday evening.

Garcetti reiterated that the city plans to put 6,000 beds in place at 42 recreation centers across the city in the coming weeks, with as many as 1,600 beds available within a few days at 13 centers.

The beds, which will be provided by the American Red Cross, will be paid for with funds that can be reimbursed by the federal government, the mayor said.

Garcetti also noted that people cannot visit loved ones who are in the hospital or in certain medical circumstances unless it's a life-threatening matter, and even then people must practice social distancing.

Garcetti said he has been in contact with manufacturers to produce more gloves and medical-grade masks for outreach and essential workers and that he is ordering more of the products.

He also said he signed an order Friday that extends the deadline for land-use approvals for people who have business before the city, since City Council committee meetings have been canceled and the full council has scaled back its meeting schedule.

—City News Service

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