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Los Angeles County has the nation's largest trial court system and starting tomorrow it's shutting down to the public due to the coronavirus.
The emergency order, which came down from Los Angeles Superior Court Presiding Judge Kevin C. Brazile, calls for the closure to last three court days. The Superior Court was already scaling back, but this is a full stop, beginning Tuesday. The trial courts are scheduled to reopen Friday for "essential or emergency matters."
Federal court judges for the Central District of California may continue to hold hearings, at their discretion. But entry to federal courthouses is limited, new juries won't be called and functions like naturalization ceremonies have been canceled.
L.A.’s Department of Public Works is still operating street sweeping. Trash collection is also continuing.
Homeless encampment cleanups will go forward as scheduled, according to department spokesperson Elena Stern, and the city and county are deploying hand washing stations for the unhoused.
The next L.A. County Board of Supervisors meeting is canceled, and Supervisor Kathryn Barger announced that most county buildings will be closed.
Los Angeles City Hall is closed to the public and while the Council is holding its regular Tuesday meeting, they’re asking people to submit comments online instead of in-person. Some council members plan to attend via teleconference or Skype.
Long Beach has already moved to teleconferencing for public meetings.
“It’s very important that social distancing and social isolation becomes the new norm for the time being,” said Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia. He said city committees or commissions that need to meet will do so over the phone or online through April.
Fentanyl and other drugs fuel record deaths among people experiencing homelessness in L.A. County. From 2019 to 2021, deaths jumped 70% to more than 2,200 in a single year.
