Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti (D) implored city residents to "cancel everything" in response to the number of rising cases of COVID-19 during a press conference on Thursday.
Garcetti's press conference was ahead of the new lockdown emergency order being sent out, which is stricter than the one that was sent out last week.
"My message couldn't be simpler: it's time to hunker down. It's time to cancel everything. And if it isn't essential, don't do it," Garcetti said. "Don't meet up with others outside your household. Don't host a gathering. Don't attend a gathering. And following our targeted Safer at Home order, if you're able to stay home, stay home."
The new year brings hope –– for vaccines and for stopping this pandemic.
— MayorOfLA (@MayorOfLA) December 3, 2020
But here's the truth: we're in for a long, hard winter.
As the worst hits us, stay home as much as you can. Cancel any non-essential activities.
Hunker down, L.A. We'll get through this together. pic.twitter.com/6TkVsTfPzP
The new lockdown order states that "all travel, including, without limitation, travel on foot, bicycle, scooter, motorcycle, automobile, or public transit is prohibited" except for those doing it for "essential" business. "Essential activities" exempt from the travel ban includes hospitals, grocery stores, media, entertainment, gas stations, and banks.
"Businesses regarded under this Order as 'nonessential' may be permitted to conduct minimum basic operations including inventory, security, custodial services, payroll and employee benefits processing, and any reasonable activity designed to maximize the ability for its employees to work remotely from their homes," the order continues. "Any Non-Essential Businesses conducting minimum basic operations, as allowed for in the paragraph, shall keep its doors closed and locked to the public at all times and shall post a sign on its main entrances stating that the business is closed to the public."
"Failure to comply with this Order shall constitute a misdemeanor subject to fines and imprisonment. I hereby urge the Los Angeles Police Department and the City Attorney to vigorously enforce this Order," Garcetti wrote.