Los Angeles County buildings to close Monday

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles County will close all of its buildings to the public effective Monday as a precautionary measure to help slow the spread of COVID-19, Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger announced Sunday.

The announcement comes as Gov. Gavin Newsom directed closure of California’s bars, brewpubs and wineries, and called on people over 65 and others at higher risk of serious complications from exposure to the virus to stay at home.

“We need to do all we can to protect the public and our employees in the midst of this expanding public health crisis,” Barger said. “Our departments will continue to provide essential services to our residents, but it is prudent to limit public access to our facilities at this time. We will continue to monitor the situation and urge the public to follow the guidance of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.”

“Our goal is to slow the transmission of COVID- 19, but we can’t do it alone,” said Barbara Ferrer, director of public health. “Each and every one of us, both businesses and residents, must do our part by practicing social distancing and taking common sense infection control precautions.

“We urgently need to flatten the curve of COVID- 19 in order to keep our hospitals and emergency rooms from becoming overwhelmed with COVID- 19 patients,” she added. “Flattening the curve requires conscientious social distancing efforts by all our L.A. County residents during this time of crisis. Our collective efforts during this pandemic can literally save the lives of our loved ones and most vulnerable residents.”

County hospitals and clinics will remain open. Essential services from first- responders will continue, and many departments will continue to operate with modified services to minimize in-person contacts.

Los Angeles County libraries and museums are also closed, along with every school district in the county.

On Sunday, the Department of Public Health confirmed 16 new cases of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County, bringing the total to 69 cases, with 10 of the new cases believed to be due to community transmission.