LA Imposes Toughest Lockdown Yet To Avoid “Devastating Tipping Point” As COVID Hospitalizations Soar

Echoing the situation back in March when California was the first state to issue a ‘stay at home’ order, the Mayor of Los Angeles late last night ordered Angelenos to stay home, warning that the city is approaching a “devastating tipping point” as the US and the state of California see unprecedented numbers of new cases, deaths and hospitalizations.

Last night the state of California reported more than 20k new COVID infections, the highest daily tally of any state. LA County has been particularly hard hit.

“Our City is now close to a devastating tipping point, beyond which the number of hospitalized patients would start to overwhelm our hospital system, in turn risking needless suffering and death,” Mayor Eric Garcetti said late on Wednesday. “We must minimize contact with others as much as possible,” he added.

COVID-19 Daily Update:
December 2, 2020
New Cases: 5,987 (414,185 to date)
New Deaths: 40 (7,740 to date)
Current Hospitalizations: 2,439 pic.twitter.com/wQBT0j5pFm

— LA Public Health (@lapublichealth) December 3, 2020

The order, which supersedes another order from June, is without a doubt the most restrictive in effect in the US right now: it prohibits public and private gatherings of people from more than one household, and requires all businesses in the city that require people to work on location must stop operations. Walking, driving, travel on public transport, bikes, motorcycles and scooters are prohibited, except – of course – for all ‘essential’ activities.

There are several exemptions: faith-based outdoor services and programs for the homeless will continue. Supermarkets, grocery stores and health-care operations can also continue to operate. But gyms, retailers and pretty much every other in-person activity will now be legally prohibited in the City of Angels. The city’s safety protocols on social distancing follow those developed by Los Angeles County, Garcetti said. On the exercise front, activities such as golf, tennis and pickleball will still be permitted, according to the order.

Anyone over the age of 16 traveling into the city must complete an online form upon arrival acknowledging they’ve read, and understand, a California travel advisory.

Failure to fill out and submit the form is punishable by a fine of up to $500.

Read the full order below:

20201202 Mayor Public Order Targeted SAH Order_1 by Zerohedge on Scribd