Insight
City Of Los Angeles Issues Worker Protection Order
Apr 08, 2020
On April 7, 2020, Mayor Garcetti issued an order, which will be in effect from April 10, 2020 until the end of the local emergency period, mandating that all essential workers wear non-medical grade cloth face coverings to help curb the spread of COVID-19.
Pursuant to the order, all workers in the following businesses must wear face coverings:
- Grocery stores, water retailers, farm and produce stands, supermarkets, convenience stores, warehouse stores, food banks, certified farmers markets and other establishments engaged in the retail sale of canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet food and medication supply (but not grooming or training), fresh or frozen meats, fish, and poultry, any other household consumer products (such as construction supplies, cleaning, and personal care products);
- Organizations and businesses that provide food, social services and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals (including gang prevention and intervention, domestic violence, and homeless services agencies);
- Hardware and building supply stores, day labor centers, and nurseries;
- Plumbers, electricians, exterminators, custodial/janitorial workers, handyman services, funeral home workers and morticians, moving services, HVAC installers, carpenters, day laborers, landscapers, gardeners, property managers and leasing agents, private security personnel;
- Laundromats, dry cleaners, and laundry service providers;
- Restaurants and retail food facilities that prepare and offer food to customers, but only via delivery service, to be picked up, or drive-thru;
- Individuals and businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food, beverages or goods directly to residences or businesses;
- Taxis, ride-sharing services, car rental companies, and other private transportation services; and
- Hotels, motels, and shared rental units.
Under the order, fabric coverings such as scarves and bandanas are acceptable. Such face coverings must be washed at least once per day. Single-use face coverings must be properly discarded into trash receptacles.
Employers of workers who work at or perform services listed above must permit their employees to wash their hands at least every 30 minutes. All such employers must provide, at their expense, non-medical grade face coverings for their employees. Also, such employers must ensure that their employees have access to clean, sanitary restrooms, stocked with all necessary cleansing products or sanitizing agents required to observe hand sanitation protocols recommended by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, provided at the employer’s expense. Further, all such employers must implement social distancing measures for customers, visitors, and employees that provides a six-foot buffer, to the extent possible, between individuals.
All customers and visitors of businesses and organizations listed above also must wear face coverings over their noses and mouths to provide additional protection for employees and customers. Fabric coverings, such as scarves and bandana coverings are acceptable. A business owner or operator covered by the order may refuse admission or service to any individual who fails to wear face coverings.
Mayor Garcetti’s order also “encourages” all retail businesses listed above to install plexiglass to separate cashiers and customers at all points of sale. It also encourages all people to wear face coverings when outside of their homes to obtain essential services are goods.
The order specifies that failure to comply is a misdemeanor and shall be enforced by the Los Angeles Police Department and City Attorney.
The full order can be found here.
