Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Garcetti Opens Some Beach Lots And Bike Paths To Prep For Memorial Day, But Says Don't 'Go Crazy' And Stay Out All Weekend
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti today announced that he would be opening up city parking lots at Cabrillo and Venice beaches, as well as city bike paths. This comes shortly after the county announced the opening of county-run bike paths.
The city will also be opening paths and parking lots at partial capacity at Will Rogers, Zuma, Dockweiler and Malibu Surfrider beaches. The beaches are still only open for "active use," now with the addition of biking. Concessions and food sales, the Venice Pier, as well as Venice's outdoor sports facilities will remain closed.
"We want to prevent crowds, so even during this holiday weekend, don't gather with others or sunbathe, don't play group sports," he said.
Support for LAist comes from
ADDITIONAL OPENINGS
The city is also reopening "recreation zones," meaning parks and walking paths, along the L.A. River, starting on May 31.
The mayor asked anyone walking or biking on the river path to socially distance and wear face coverings.
RETAIL UPDATES
The mayor confirmed that indoor malls will be reopening for curbside pick up, with masks and distancing, echoing what county officials said earlier today.
"We've conducted regular inspections of curbside retail efforts in recent days. We've seen excellent compliance, a surefire sign that Angelenos are following the rules, making responsible choices and adapting to this new reality. And I thank you for that," he said.
THE CURVE
Support for LAist comes from
Garcetti said that over the past three weeks, we've seen about 6,500 new cases and 300 deaths per week. He said this constitutes "a somewhat stabilizing but still fragile curve."
The mayor added that on Tuesday, June 1, the city will open a new testing site at Dodger Stadium, where they will be able to test 6,000 people per day.
He addressed the testing backlog that the city's been experiencing and said this "coming" week, we will get to a 30-hour turnaround time for testing (he said the current five or six day wait is "too long").
JULY 4 IS NOT A THING
To clarify a comment that County Supervisor Kathryn Barger made earlier this week about L.A. reopening by July 4, the mayor said what she meant was it would be nice to open by July 4, "but nobody said the county is planning to quote-unquote open up all the doors to everything on July 4."
TO GO OUT OR NOT TO GO OUT?
In response to our question about the conflicting message the public is getting about parks, beaches and trails opening, while also being advised by public health officials to stay at home, and avoid going out unless absolutey necessary, the mayor said "we've never been fully closed."
Support for LAist comes from
He said we should get comfortable living in a "gray area" between being open and closed for a while. Here's his advice (warning: it's very vague):
"Some are more comfortable living further into those shadows and taking an abundance of caution. That's smart. We say physical distance whenever you can, wear your mask when you're out in public and come in contact with people, wash your hands. And, you know, continue to make sure that there's space between you and other people."
"We want to turn our city employees into helpers, not into folks that are cracking down and saying okay here's a ticket for not wearing a mask... We're going to continue those three E's of Education, Encouragement and Enforcement, but enforcement will be in very rare cases for, you know, businesses that are clearly endangering people, people who are flouting the law way before things are permissible at the state level. Those are times to bring enforcement, but really it's education and encouragement."
"I think it's okay to take a step forward, but don't dash forward, don't go crazy and stay out all weekend," he said.
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter. To support our nonprofit public service journalism: Donate now.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
Best of LAist