Topline
A Covid-19 testing site at Los Angeles’ Union Station — which was set to close on December 1 for the filming of the movie ‘He’s All That’ — will remain open after the city’s mayor Eric Garcetti stepped in following public outcry about the original decision.
Curative's Covid-19 Testing site at the Union Station in Los Angeles, California.
Key Facts
The movie, which is a remake of the 1999 romantic comedy “She’s All That” and features TikTok star Addison Rae had received approval to film inside and outside the station on Tuesday with about 170 cast and crew members in attendance.
Garcetti’s decision comes after a homeless outreach and advocacy group called ‘Ktown for All’ shared an email that an area resident had received informing them that their Tuesday testing appointment at the Union Station site had been canceled due to the shoot, leading to public outcry.
FilmLA, the group that coordinates filming permits in the city, told various media outlets that it was unaware of a virus testing site operating at the location and they had nothing to with the decision to shut testing at the location.
Curative, the company that operates the Union Station testing site responded to Ktown for All’s tweet stating that it still had over 3,000 appointments are still available for Tuesday, and those who have an existing appointment can get tested at any of its testing sites.
Chief Critic
‘KTown for All’ told the New York Times that the planned disruption in testing showed that the city had misplaced its priorities at a time when hospitalizations due to the virus are spiking. A spokesperson for the group added: “It’s truly one of the only Covid testing centers within the city of Los Angeles that is really accessible by public transit. This is the L.A. that we are constantly fighting against.”
Big Number
5,150. That’s the total number of new Covid-19 cases that the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reported on Monday. The department also noted that the county presently has 2,185 patients hospitalized with the disease, which is a record high.
Crucial Quote
Announcing the reversal, Garcetti tweeted: “The 504 Angelenos who were scheduled for a test there can visit the kiosk as originally planned or any of the other 14 City sites, where we offer 38K tests daily.”
Further Reading
Los Angeles Reverses Decision to Close Virus Testing Site for a Film Shoot (New York Times)
L.A. COVID-19 Testing Center to Remain Open Following 'She's All That' Remake Shoot Drama (The Hollywood Reporter)
