LA Homeless To Keep Tents Up Even During Day Due To Coronavirus

The Los Angeles City Council voted on Tuesday to have the homeless keep their tents up during the day. This is just a few of the measures enacted by the city due to the coronavirus outbreak. LA Mayor Eric Garcetti is also employing new relief measures for small businesses to weather new restrictions designed to mitigate the effects of COVID-19.

According to Fox News, Councilman Mike Bonin said that the vulnerability of the people after throwing them out of encampments is more dangerous than having lots of them living in encampments. The current measure requires homeless people to take down their tents between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m., but it’s not enforced thoroughly. Under the new measure, people will be able to keep their tents up during the day.

Aside from the new tents, council members also voted to have handwashing stations and portable toilets, as well as weekly shower spaces, to service major homeless encampments. The measure, however, didn’t mean that the authorities will stop confiscating other belongings exceeding 60 gallons.

Right now, there are about 36,000 homeless living within city limits. Of these, 27,000 live out of a shelter, according to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authorities.

Aside from the measures to protect even the homeless from COVID-19, the government allowed relief measures to be enacted to help small businesses cope with the public health response. As per the LAist, Mayor Garcetti is approving these measures, adding that the city will provide $11 million to help these businesses to pay bills for rent and to provide payroll to employees.

Garcetti still reminded people that the most important thing to do right now was to continue to practice social distancing and maintain good hygiene. While the mayor is looking out for businesses, the city council is making sure that the homeless are protected as well. Councilman Bob Blumenfield said that the homeless staying in tents is a temporary solution, at best. He reasoned out that one infected homeless person could spread the disease to an entire encampment of the homeless.

Officials have been thinking about using hotels and motels purchased by the state and state-owned trailers to house them.