Flower stores were allowed to reopen today in Los Angeles County just in time for Mother’s Day.
At the Los Angeles Flower Mall downtown, social distancing, which is still required, isn't really happening, though many people are wearing their masks.
🌺 🌸🌼 Flower stores allowed to open today in LA County just in time for Mother’s Day and lots of people are out buying. Social distancing is not really happening. pic.twitter.com/U4xQIAn130
— Emily Guerin (@guerinemily) May 8, 2020
Flower markets fall under one of several categories of businesses allowed to begin operating again as part of the city and county's move from "Safer at Home," the stay-at-home order issued on March 19, to "Safer L.A.," the second of the city's five-stage plan for recovering from the coronavirus pandemic.
Signs at the flower markets advise customers to keep 6 feet apart and wear their masks, but in the tighter aisles it can still get crowded.
One man buying flowers to sell on the street in La Puente told me it felt like a normal Friday here in the Flower District.
One guy buying flowers to sell on the street in La Puente told me it feels like a normal Friday here in the Flower 🌸 District. pic.twitter.com/VMGVZR6yOi
— Emily Guerin (@guerinemily) May 8, 2020
Ricardo Gonzalez, who sells snacks on the street in the Flower District, says it’s good to be back at work after six weeks at home. He pours alcohol on his hands after each sale and has a box set up as a barrier to keep people from getting too close.
Ricardo Gonzalez sells snacks on the street in the Flower 🌺 District and says it’s good to be back at work after 6 weeks at home. He pours alcohol on his hands after each sale and has a box set up as a barrier to keep people from getting too close. pic.twitter.com/3zX6kGdsV5
— Emily Guerin (@guerinemily) May 8, 2020
Florist Valerie Jurado told me she’s been waiting weeks for her Paycheck Protection Program loan. In the interim she’s been doing flower deliveries to be able to pay her staff. She’s here in the Flower District buying filler for Mother’s Day bouquets.
Florist Valerie Jurado told me she’s been waiting weeks for her #PPP loan. In the interim she’s been doing flower deliveries to be able to pay her staff. She’s here in the Flower District buying filler for Mother’s Day bouquets. 💐 pic.twitter.com/xlhRoNxN4n
— Emily Guerin (@guerinemily) May 8, 2020
But the crowds were evidently too much for some.
“Let’s get out of here, there’s lots of people," I heard one woman say as she grabbed her flowers and her kids and walked away.
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