Los Angeles County officials say some “non-essential” retail businesses will be allowed to reopen Friday with curbside pickup only and the city’s golf courses and most park trails will reopen this weekend.

But beaches will remain closed, although county public health director Barbara Ferrer said Wednesday a plan for reopening the coastline has been developed and could be implemented “in the very near future.” Similar reopening plans have already been approved by the state for some Orange County beaches.

Wednesday’s announcement of pending business openings came on a day the county reported 55 more deaths due to COVID-19, although two of those fatalities were reported Tuesday afternoon by Long Beach and Pasadena, which have their own health departments. Pasadena reported two additional deaths Wednesday afternoon.

Ferrer also announced 851 new coronavirus cases, while Long Beach announced two more and Pasadena added 19, bringing the county’s overall total to 28,665.

Of the 1,260 people who died for which ethnic data was available, 39% were Latino, 28% were white, 19% Asian, 12% black and 1% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander.

Half of the county’s COVID-19 deaths have occurred in institutional settings, primarily skilled nursing facilities. Ferrer said that as of Wednesday, there have been 682 deaths among residents of such facilities. At least one confirmed or suspected case was being investigated at 348 institutions as of midday Wednesday.

There have been 204 cases reported among the county’s homeless population, with more than half of those cases involving people who were in shelters. The majority of the cases among sheltered homeless were at the Union Rescue Mission on Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles.

Ferrer said businesses that will be allowed to reopen beginning Friday include florists, car dealers, toy stores, book stores, clothing retailers, sporting-goods stores and music shops. The health order will only allow curbside pickup for retail, and in-store shopping will still be on hold for the time being.

During his daily coronavirus briefing, Mayor Eric Garcetti said the popular Runyon Canyon Park trails and Los Angeles beaches will remain closed, and face coverings will be required to be worn at all city trails and golf courses.

Golf courses will reopen, but Garcetti said pro shops will remain closed, and golf course restaurants will be restricted to carry-out only.

https://mynewsla.com/hollywood/2020/05/07/city-to-allow-some-businesses-to-reopen-friday-3/