The Original Farmers Market announced on March 18 that their grocery stores will remain open amidst the coronavirus outbreak.
According to a press release, all of the market’s bars are closed and the restaurants have been modified to takeout only.
The Market hours have also been changed from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays and parking is free.
“All Farmers Market merchants are taking the utmost precaution when it comes to hygiene, cleanliness and wellness,” the press release states. “The health, well-being and overall satisfaction of our customers remains the number one priority.”
The Market’s modifications are in response to Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s March 15 directive closing all bars in Los Angeles and requiring restaurants to be takeout only. The directive lasts until March 31.
“I encourage all Angelenos to help support these critical small businesses — the restaurants we love in our neighborhoods — by continuing to order from them or getting takeout or delivery,” Garcetti said at the time.
Los Angeles County Department of Health Director Barbara Ferrer announced on March 18 that the county has seen 96 new cases over the past 48 hours, putting the current total at the county to 190. She added that the number of cases likely will increase in the coming weeks as testing becomes more widespread.
Ferrer urged individuals to follow social distancing guidelines.
“You can assume that for every case where we’re testing people, there are maybe five to 10 cases in all of our communities of people who haven’t been tested, that are in fact infected with COVID-19 and able to transmit that to others,” she said. “This is the time for universal precautions.”
