The Los Angeles Post

California Orders Additional Restrictions to Slow Transmissions of COVID-19

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New Action Includes Expanding Statewide Closure of Bars, Breweries and Pubs and of Indoor Operations in Restaurants, Wineries, Movie Theaters

 

Additionally, Counties on the County Monitoring List for Three or More Consecutive Days Must Close Indoor Operations of Additional Sectors

 

80 Percent of Californians Live in Counties Subject to New Closures

 

Businesses May Modify Operations to Provide Outdoor Services or Pick-up

 

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Public Health today expanded statewide its indoor closures for businesses that encourage mixing of individuals beyond immediate households and make physical distancing and wearing face coverings difficult. Affected businesses include restaurants, wineries and tasting rooms, movie theaters, family entertainment centers, zoos and museums and cardrooms. These sectors may modify operations to provide services outside or by pick-up.

 

The state is similarly expanding statewide its order for brewpubs, breweries, bars, and pubs to close, both indoors and outdoors, unless they are offering sit down meals outdoors and comply with guidance issued on June 28.

 

Today’s order is effective immediately and the closures will remain in effect until the State Public Health Officer determines it is appropriate to modify the order based on public health conditions. 

 

Counties on the County Monitoring List for three or more consecutive days – currently 29 counties accounting for 80 percent of the state’s population – must close indoor operations for additional activities including:

 

  • Gyms and Fitness Centers
  • Places of Worship 
  • Indoor Protests
  • Offices for Non-Critical Infrastructure Sectors as identified at covid19.ca.gov  
  • Personal Care Services (including nail salons, massage parlors, and tattoo parlors)
  • Hair Salons and Barbershops
  • Malls

 

The 29 counties impacted by todays order include:

  • Colusa
  • Contra Costa
  • Fresno
  • Glenn
  • Imperial
  • Kings
  • Los Angeles
  • Madera
  • Marin
  • Merced
  • Monterey
  • Napa
  • Orange
  • Placer
  • Riverside
  • Sacramento
  • San Benito
  • San Bernardino
  • San Diego
  • San Joaquin
  • Santa Barbara
  • Solano
  • Sonoma
  • Stanislaus
  • Sutter
  • Tulare
  • Ventura
  • Yolo
  • Yuba

 

“Due to increased COVID-19 transmissions statewide and rising hospitalization numbers in many communities, we are taking more actions today to slow transmissions of the disease,” said Governor Newsom. “Each of us has the power to slow the spread of the virus. Here’s how you can help: Avoid mixing with people who are not in your household. If you can’t avoid it, wear a mask, move indoor activities outside, stay physically distant and wash your hands.”

 

Community spread of COVID-19 continues to be a concern for counties on the County Monitoring List. Further, rates in counties not on the list have also been increasing at an alarming rate, supporting this expanded state action. As community spread increases, vulnerable populations, including older Californians and those who have chronic conditions or compromised immune systems, are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill due to the virus. Higher cases counts can also threaten the state’s care delivery system capacity.

 

“Moving outside when you’re at a restaurant, winery or gym is a key step to helping reduce the risk for yourself and others, but that doesn’t mean your actions don’t matter. Letting your guard down around people who don’t live with you, even a family member or close friend, puts you at risk,” said Dr. Sonia Angell, State Health Officer and Director of the California Department of Public Health. “When you go out, wear a face covering, keep physical distance, and wash your hands. The decisions we make today will determine how COVID-19 impacts our communities and families tomorrow.”

 

Sectors included in today’s announcement are all at higher risk of transmission because they promote mixing with others outside of one’s household. In addition, some of these sectors are centered on eating and drinking, compliance with face coverings is not possible for the full duration of time someone spends in these establishments. All industry or sector guidance documents that have been issued to date, including all infectious control measures outlined in those guidance documents, apply in outdoor settings, and must be adhered to. The state will work closely with counties to ensure businesses are complying with guidance and are modifying operations to reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19.

 

California will continue to update and issue guidance based on the best available public health data and the best practices currently employed. More information about the state’s COVID-19 guidance is on the California Department of Public Health’s Guidance web page.

 

More information about reopening California and what individuals can do to prevent the spread of COVID-19, visit www.covid19.ca.gov.