Citing rapidly rising numbers of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, California Governor Gavin Newsom made sweeping rollbacks Wednesday.
Newsom’s orders applied to 19 counties, including Santa Clara and Contra Costa Counties in the Bay Area. Los Angeles and Sacramento Counties were also included, with the order covering 70% of the state population.
It comes just a few days after Newsom put Santa Clara County on a watch list for reclosures. While county health officials have hinted at pending changes to the stay-at-home orders this week, it is unclear how Newsom’s actions might change that progress.
All bars in these counties, if they had been open, must close. Indoor operations at restaurants, breweries, wineries, movie theaters, museums and more must also shut.
Parking facilities at state beaches in the Bay Area must also close as part of the order. Nail and hair salons were not included in Wednesday’s guidance.
Newsom said that gatherings of families and friends have been a significant source of COVID-19 spread. He cautioned against these types of meet-ups over the normally busy Fourth of July weekend.
The state is also planning to step up enforcement against non-compliant businesses.
California saw 110 COVID-19 deaths in the 24 hours before Newsom’s announcement. In Santa Clara County, hospitalizations are up to more than 70 patients from an average of 56 patients last week.