Santa Monica Farmers Market Still Crowded Amid Coronavirus

SANTA MONICA, CA — Videos captured by a reporter at the Santa Monica farmers market Wednesday showed packed crowds and a lack of social distancing as residents went to buy fresh groceries amid the new coronavirus pandemic.

The City of Santa Monica told Fox Los Angeles that the market would remain open during stay-at-home orders due to the coronavirus, but a maximum of 200 customers would be allowed in at a time and only two entry points would be open. They also asked that customers only send one member of the household to the market, the news station reported.

"Crowded farmers market today," reporter Luis Treto tweeted with the video from the Santa Monica farmers market. "NOT MUCH #SocialDistancing."

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Busy farmers markets and concerns over social distancing have been an issue around Los Angeles County. L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti shut down all farmers markets within the city Monday after photos showed a packed Brentwood farmers market over the weekend, TMZ reported. Beaches and hiking trails were also packed with Angelenos before they were shut down.

There were 3,524 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Los Angeles County as of Wednesday, including 139 in Long Beach and 33 in Pasadena, which each have their own public health departments.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Follow CDC's recommendations for using a facemask.
  • CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
  • Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

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