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LA Will Ramp Up Enforcement Of Coronavirus Restrictions, Begin Testing At LAX
In strong language hearkening to his "stay at home" order from the early days of the pandemic, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti on Monday reiterated the state and county's advice to avoid travel and warned that the city will expand its enforcement efforts against businesses that break the rules.
"If you don't have essential travel, don't travel," the mayor said in a live-streamed public statement. (You can watch above.) "If you don't have to take a trip as an essential worker or because of a family emergency, don't travel."
The county and the state had earlier advised people to avoid all non-essential travel out of the region and the state. If you must travel, the recommendation is to self-quarantine for two full weeks when you return.
In an effort to cut down on the area's rising transmission rates, which doubled in the past week, Garcetti said the city would ramp up enforcement of its current health rules:
"I've directed our city departments to expand enforcement efforts for businesses that are still not in compliance with our public health protocols, and we will issue citations under the administrative citation enforcement program, and revoke permits for businesses who violate our requirements and put all of us at risk."
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The mayor also said the city and county would beef up its local testing programs.
Among the expanded testing that will be offered:
- Increased mobile testing from three to five units (each can test 200-500 people a day)
- PCR tests offered at LAX's international terminal, along with terminals 2 and 6, with results within 24 hours
- A super walk-up site opening Nov. 23 in the northeast San Fernando Valley, at a specific location to be determined, will provide approximately 3,000 daily COVID and flu tests, flu shots and rapid antigen testing for people with symptoms
Garcetti stressed that the purpose of testing at LAX was not to encourage non-essential travel on planes, but to serve those who cannot avoid traveling.
The mayor closed with a now-familiar refrain:
"Take this seriously and follow the rules. And let's beat back this virus once and for all. Be safe, stay healthy, and please, stay at home."
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