The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department West Hollywood Station will begin citing people for not wearing face coverings in the City of West Hollywood this month. This is the latest effort to slow the recent surge in coronavirus infections in the state of California. The move is in response to a number of complaints about people not wearing face coverings in WeHo.
“The COVID-19 infection rate is moving up in California,” reads a Community Bulletin posted by Captain Edward Ramirez of the West Hollywood Station. “The Governor has recently issued an Order for everyone to wear a face cover/mask while in public. West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station has been educating people about face covers/masks since the first Order.
Beginning this month, we will start issuing Administrative Citations for people who are not conforming to the Order to wear a face cover/mask in public. Our last option was to conduct enforcement by issuing an Administrative Citation, but the risk to Community health is too great.
We ask our Community to please wear a face cover/mask while in public in an effort to keep everyone healthy and control the spread of the virus.”
The LASD West Hollywood official Twitter accounted posted an update that reads: “The fine is $250 and a fee of $50 for a total of $300 for the first offense.”
CBSN Los Angeles reports the fine for a second offense will be upwards of $1000.
The news that people will be fined for not wearing face coverings comes in the heels of California Governor Gavin Newsom’s order of the immediate closure of indoor dining and other inside business operations in 19 counties across the state of California in response to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. The Los Angeles County is on the list, which means the current restrictions impact businesses in the City of West Hollywood.
An Emergency Executive Order in West Hollywood requires the use of cloth face coverings in public that began Saturday, May 23, 2020. The Order mandates that all people in West Hollywood — essential workers and the general public — are required to wear face coverings, such as scarves (dense fabric without holes), bandanas, neck gaiters, or similar coverings of any other material that reduces transmission of germs anytime they are out in public. Face coverings will not be required for young children under two-years-old, anyone who has trouble breathing, or anyone who is otherwise unable to remove a face covering without assistance. Children between two and eight-years-old should only wear face coverings with adult supervision.
The City continues to urge everyone to stay in place, maintain your space, and cover your face. Leave home only for essential needs; always use social distancing of at least six feet; and follow guidelines to use face coverings such as bandanas, scarves or masks.
