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LA banning outdoor dining

istock

November 24, 2020

Los Angeles County, which is home to over 10 million people, is banning outdoor dining for at least three weeks as a way to protect people from spreading COVID-19. The area's five-day average of new cases increased to more than 4,000 cases, according to a press release from the county, which also confirmed nine new deaths Tuesday and reported 2,718 new cases of COVID-19.

The modified order will take effect at 10 p.m., Wednesday, stating that restaurants, breweries, wineries and bars will only be able to offer take-out, drive thru and delivery services. In-person dining will not be allowed, at minimum, for the next three weeks.

"As we modify our Thanksgiving holiday celebrations, we are reminded of the many families who will miss their loved ones who have passed away from COVID-19. We send wishes for healing and peace," Barbara Ferrer, director of Public Health, said in the release. "The persistent high number of cases requires additional safety measures that limit mixing in settings where people are not wearing masks. We hope individuals continue to support restaurants, breweries and wineries by ordering for take-out or delivery. We also fervently hope every L.A. County resident supports all our businesses by following the Public Health directives that we know work to slow spread. Unfortunately, if our cases and hospitalizations continue to increase, we will need to issue further restrictions to protect our healthcare system and prevent more deaths."

Last week, Los Angeles County established thresholds for additional actions if the five-day average of cases is 4,000 or more or hospitalizations are more than 1,750 per day, to restrict in-person dining at restaurants, breweries, wineries and bars.

If the five-day average of cases is 4,500 or more or hospitalizations are more than 2,000 per day, a Targeted Safer at Home Order will be issued for three weeks. The order would offer additional restrictions while allowing essential and emergency workers and those securing essential services to leave their homes.