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[Update for Thursday, March 12, 1 p.m.] Los Angeles City Hall is now closed to all non-city employees, according to L.A. Daily News. Mayor Eric Garcetti has also ordered city events or events in city-owned properties consisting of 50 or more people to be canceled or postponed. Additionally, Garcetti has also asked most public buildings to limit their capacity to no more than 50 people at a time. Private gatherings are also asked to consider canceling gatherings at this time.
On Wednesday, March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19, also referred to as coronavirus, a pandemic. Worldwide, over 120,000 people have been infected by the virus, according to NPR.
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For most, COVID-19 will be mild. However, it’s dangerous and possibly deadly for older people or people who have pre-existing medical conditions, including cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, or diabetes.
As a precaution, several schools have moved online-only and numerous events around the world have been canceled or postponed. Here is a list of some of the largest closures that have been announced thus far. Following the list, we’ve included information from the CDC on how to best prevent becoming infected and what to do if you’re sick. You can also find more info and best practices regarding the virus from the CDC here and from WHO here.
Cancellations and Postponements
The Central Library and 72 branch libraries are closed through March 31. All due dates will be extended. Librarians are available to provide assistance through telephone reference (213) 228-7272, Ask A Librarian, and Book A Librarian. You may still access online services via lapl.org.
Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure will be closed from March 14 through the end of the month.
Universal Studios Hollywood will close from March 14-28. CityWalk will remain open.
The City of Santa Monica is canceling all gatherings, events, activities, and programs. See more info here.
Music festivals Coachella and Stagecoach are both postponed. The new Coachella dates are October 9-11 and October 16-18. The new Stagecoach dates are October 23-25. If you already bought April tickets, those tickets will be honored for the October dates. If you can’t make those dates, expect to hear by Friday, March 13 how you can get a refund.
All Los Angeles Philharmonic Concerts at Walt Disney Concert Hall are canceled through March 31. Ticketholders may exchange, donate, or receive a refund on their tickets.
The Music Center has canceled all performances and events through March 31.
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The L.A. Times Food Bowl, originally scheduled for May, is postponed. The festival will now be held in the fall, though new dates haven’t been announced at this time.
Masters of Taste, originally scheduled for April 5, is postponed. A new date hasn’t been announced yet. Anyone with tickets will be able to use them for the new date.
The L.A. Times 2020 Festival of Books has been rescheduled for October 3-4. The Book Prizes awards ceremony, originally scheduled for April 17, is canceled. Instead, winners and honorees will be acknowledged via an announcement on that same date.
Video game conference E3, scheduled for June 9-11, is canceled. E3 is hoping to host an online experience of industry news and announcements in June. Follow updates here.
RuPaul’s DragCon LA 2020, originally scheduled for May, is canceled. They are currently working with Eventbrite to issue refunds.
LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes will be closed to the public through March 16. All guided school group visits, hands-on workshops, and teacher trainings are canceled through April.
The Rancho Mirage Library and Observatory is closed through March 23.
The 29th Annual Muslim Public Affairs Council Media Awards is postponed. A new date has not been announced at this time.
AFI’s annual Life Achievement Award honoring Julie Andrews, originally scheduled for April 25, is postponed. The event will now take place in early summer.
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The 2nd Annual Not Real Art Creators Conference, originally scheduled for March 21, is canceled. The conference will return on March 20, 2021.
Pearl Jam, scheduled to perform at The Forum in April, has postponed their North American tour.
The BMI Latin Awards show, originally scheduled for March 31, is postponed. The new date hasn’t been announced at this time.
The Venice Family Clinic Art Walk & Auction is postponed. The online auction, featuring over 200 pieces, will still take place online via Paddle8. Bidding starts on Sunday, May 3.
KCRW’s Good Food Pie Contest, originally scheduled for April 19, is postponed. A new date hasn’t been announced yet. All registration fees will be refunded. As an alternative, KCRW will host an Instagram pie pageant.
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles has postponed L.A. Nature Fest, originally scheduled for March 14-15. A new date hasn’t been announced yet.
The Wallis has canceled all events and performances through March 31.
The Skirball Cultural Center has postponed its annual Skirball Puppet Festival, originally scheduled for April 26. A new date has yet to be announced. If you already bought a ticket, the Center will contact you about a refund.
Smorgasburg LA is on hiatus through at least the end of March.
LA Chef Conference, originally scheduled for March 30, has been rescheduled for October 19. See updates here.
Recommendations and Resources
At the time of publication, there are 20 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County. L.A. County Public Health currently assesses the overall public risk of contracting the virus as low but recommends you follow best practices for limiting the spread of illness.
The county’s website has many excellent resources, including an F.A.Q. on COVID-19, and general steps you can take to stop the spread of illness, including a guide on proper handwashing.
To avoid COVID-19, the CDC recommends that you:
- Thoroughly wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially if you’ve been in public. See the CDC’s guide on proper handwashing here.
- Cancel or postpone large events or gatherings. The Governor has required that any event with 250 or more attendees be canceled, while L.A. County is recommending all non-essential events with 50 or more attendees be canceled. Those who are most at risk should avoid events entirely.
- Avoid all non-essential travel, cruise trips, and traveling to any area where an outbreak has occurred.
- If you can’t use soap and water, use hand sanitizer that’s at least 60% alcohol.
- Try not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with those who are sick and try to distance yourself from others in public. The CDC defines close contact as about 6 feet.
If you are sick, the CDC recommends that you:
- Stay home, unless you’re on your way to get medical care. Contact the Department of Public Health to make sure you have the supplies and follow-up you’ll need. Before you leave to get medical care, contact your health care provider or local public health department so that you can take appropriate precautions.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or the inside of your elbow when you cough or sneeze. Then, throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands with soap and water or, if unavailable, hand sanitizer.
- Wear a face mask if you must leave your house. You don’t need to wear a face mask if you’re not sick. And don’t stockpile them. It’s important that the healthcare workers who need them can get them.
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