Coronavirus: LA Mayor Garcetti shuts down beach parking, recreation facilities due to 'too many people packing beaches, trails and parks'

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced Sunday night he was shutting down parking at city beaches and closing sports recreation facilities in Los Angeles County amid the coronavirus pandemic.

On Twitter, Mayor Garcetti said the decision came after officials saw "too many people packing beaches, trails and parks" over the first weekend of the "Safer at Home" order issued on Thursday.

"This is serious. Stay at home and save lives," the Tweet said in part.

WATCH: Mayor Garcetti announces 'Safer at Home' restrictions on businesses, activities (Full statement)

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced the "Safer at Home" order Thursday, which orders nonessential businesses to close and residents to stay home as much as possible to help contain the coronavirus.

The announcement comes after officials announced Saturday that all sports and recreation areas at Los Angeles County parks will be closed until further notice amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation said the decision was made as an extra precaution in response to COVID-19.

The closure affects playgrounds, fitness equipment areas, courts, skate parks, multi-use fields, pickleball courts, golf courses and lawn bowling.

Local and state officials continue to push for social distancing during the "Safer at Home" order issued last week.

MORE: Gov. Gavin Newsom's grim worst case scenario of COVID-19 explained

Governor Gavin Newsom gave us the statistic that is driving his government's unprecedented measures to contain the spread of novel coronavirus --- 56 % of Californians could be infected in eight weeks, if we do nothing.

The Los Angeles Rams, ABC7 and 710AM ESPNLA are teaming up to host the Te'LA'thon for Los Angeles, a virtual telethon on Tuesday, March 24 from 4 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Find out how to help here: https://abc7.la/3aebqsP.