City of Los Angeles Worker Protection Order

On April 7, 2020, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti issued a Worker Protection Order extending protection requirements for certain categories of workers providing essential, non-medical services. Under this order, eligible workers are required to:

1. Wear face coverings over their noses and mouths while performing their work. These coverings do not currently need to be medical-grade, but reusable masks must be washed at least once a day.
2. Employers must permit their employees to wash their hands at least once every 30 minutes, and must provide clean and sanitary working conditions, including access to non-medical grade face coverings.
3. All customers and visitors of eligible businesses must wear coverings over their noses and mouths to protect themselves and the business’ employees.
4. Business owners may refuse entry to customers or visitors not wearing appropriate facial coverings.

Per the announcement, the workers covered by this order are employees of any of the following types of businesses or organizations:

• Grocery stores, water retailers, farm and produce stands, supermarkets, convenience stores, warehouse stores, food banks, certified farmers markets and other establishments engaged in the retail sale of canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet food and medication supply (but not grooming or training), fresh or frozen meats, fish, and poultry, any other household consumer products (such as construction supplies, cleaning and personal care products);
• Organizations and businesses that provide food, social services and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals (including gang prevention and intervention, domestic violence, and homeless services agencies);
• Hardware and building supply stores, day labor centers, and nurseries.
• Plumbers, electricians, exterminators, custodial/janitorial workers, handyman services, funeral home workers and morticians, moving services, HVAC installers, carpenters, day laborers, landscapers, gardeners, property managers and leasing agents, private security personnel;
• Laundromats, dry cleaners, and laundry service providers;
• Restaurants and retail food facilities that prepare and offer food to customers, but only via delivery service, to be picked up, or drive-thru;
• Individuals and businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food, beverages or goods directly to residences or businesses;
• Taxis, ride sharing services, car rental companies, and other private transportation services;
• Hotels, motels and shared rental units.

The full text of the order may be found on the Los Angeles Mayor’s website.