Ventura County is recommending restaurants, bars, distilleries, breweries and wineries keep television sets off in customer areas on Super Bowl Sunday. The move is intended to keep the spots from becoming large group gathering places which could spread COVID-19.
Los Angeles County imposed a ban on TV use before last week's reopening of outdoor dining areas. But, Ventura County's action doesn't go as far, just recommending that TV's be left off for the big game.
The concern is that the Super Bowl could also become the Super Spreader Bowl, fueling a new surge in cases.
Ventura County Public Health officials say the county has been making substantial progress in recovering from the holiday surge in COVID-19 cases, but are worried the game could create a new one. The Super Bowl is the most watched annual television event in America, and traditionally leads to big viewing parties.
Santa Barbara County hasn't taken any steps at this point to limit TV use in places where food and drinks are served on Super Bowl Sunday.
