We could see new COVID-19 stay-at-home orders which would once again shut down things like in-person restaurant dining on the Central and South Coasts. The state is responding to the surge in coronavirus cases with a plan triggered if a region’s hospital intensive care unit capacity drops below 15%.
Governor Gavin Newsom says with the state seeing its highest new coronavirus case numbers since the start of the pandemic, action was needed.
The new order would take effect for us if ICU capacity drops below 15% in the Southern California region, which includes LA and Orange Counties, as well as Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo Counties. Projections show it could drop below the threshold before Christmas.
Personal care businesses like hair salons, barbershops, and nail salons would have to close for three weeks. Restaurants would again be limited to takeout or delivery service. Open schools can remain open, and retail stores can stay open at 20% capacity.
The new order calls for all non-essential travel to be restricted statewide.
