Los Angeles County’s Public Health Department announced a new stay at home order, which goes into effect November 30, 2020 and will remain in place until December 20, 2020.

Under the new order, all public and private gatherings with individuals from more than one household are prohibited, except for faith-based services and protests.

The order states that restaurants, bars, breweries and wineries remain closed for in-person dining and drinking “because of high rates of transmission in the community.” The order states that one reason for the closure of in-person dining is “customers are not wearing face coverings during their visit, which results in an increased chance of transmission of the virus.” Restaurants, wineries and breweries remain open for pick-up, delivery and take-out. Breweries and wineries remain open for retail sales at 20% occupancy.

Last Tuesday, the County Board of Supervisors had a heated debate about whether to keep outdoor dining open. Supervisor Kathryn Barger announced her opposition to the health order halting outdoor dining for three weeks, citing a lack of scientific data and the economic harm to restaurants. The Board voted to maintain the outdoor dining shutdown by a 3-2 vote. The California Restaurant Association has filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court requesting relief from the ban.

The new order also reduces occupancy limits at various businesses; all individuals at these sites are required to wear face coverings and keep at least 6 feet of distance:

• Essential retail – 35% maximum occupancy
• Non-essential retail (includes indoor malls) – 20% maximum occupancy
• Personal care services – 20% maximum occupancy
• Libraries – 20% maximum occupancy
• Fitness centers operating outdoors – 50% maximum occupancy
• Museums galleries, zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens operating outdoors – 50% maximum occupancy
• Mini-golf, batting cages, go-kart racing operating outdoors – 50% maximum occupancy

Outdoor recreation activities all which require face coverings (except for swimming) and distancing:

• Beaches, trails and parks remain open; gatherings at these sites with members outside your household are prohibited.
• Golf courses, tennis courts, pickleball, archery ranges, skate parks, bike parks and community gardens remain open for individuals or members of a single household. Pools that serve more than one household may open only for regulated lap swimming with one person per lane.
• Drive-in movies/events/car parades are permitted provided occupants in each car are members of one household.

The order fully closes public playgrounds and cardrooms.