Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has announced that the city will be shutting off water and power to any non-essential businesses that defied orders and stayed open during the coronavirus crisis.
During his Tuesday press briefing Garcetti announced that the Department of Water and Power will be shutting off services for the businesses that don’t comply with the “safer at home” ordinance.
“This behavior is irresponsible and selfish,” Garcetti said of businesses that remained open.
KTLA reports that neighborhood prosecutors will implement safety measures and will contact the businesses before issuing further action, according to Garcetti.
I know we're all anxious to return to our routines –– to see the people we love and visit the places that make this city home. But please take this health pandemic seriously –– stay home and practice physical distancing. Every single choice you make could save a life or risk one.
— Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) March 24, 2020
“The easiest way to avoid a visit is to follow the rules,” he said.
The mayor also noted that Los Angeles is “six to 12 days behind New York” for being hit with a wave of coronavirus cases. He said that he does not believe his city will be running as normal by Easter.
“The peak is not here yet,” he said. “It will be bad.”
The grimness of his press conference did not end there. He also warned residents to be “prepared for some of the darkness that is ahead.”
“Each one of us can be a light. We can light a match of hope. We can navigate that tunnel with each other and not alone. And more importantly, what we do can ensure that more people exit that tunnel together… and that our city will rise again,” he added.
