(November 22, 2020) Effective Wednesday at 10 PM, Los Angeles County including Long Beach restaurants, breweries, wineries, and bars must suspend dine-in services and will only be allowed to offer drive-thru, pick-up, and delivery services for at least three weeks.
Click here to read a statement from Dr. Anissa Davis, Long Beach Health Officer. An updated City Health order with further details is forthcoming.
This change to health protocols is due to the new infection rate of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County and within Long Beach. Last week, the County had announced that these restrictions would be put in place if the five-day average of new infections topped 4,000 – today, the five-day average reached 4,097.
According to Dr. Davis, local COVID-19 hospitalizations have increased 200% since November 1, and over the past two weeks the number of new cases has increased by more than 120%.
Should the five-day average of cases reach 4,500 or more, or hospitalizations reach more than 2,000 per day, a more targeted L.A. County Safer at Home Order will be put in place for at least three weeks. That Order would allow only essential and emergency workers and those securing essential services to leave their homes.
The Downtown Long Beach Alliance (DLBA) understands that these restrictions will undoubtedly make things more difficult for businesses and is at the ready as a resource for information and assistance in navigating changing rules on business operations. We encourage restaurants who have not already done so to sign up for the Dine Out DTLB interactive map of restaurants, which is currently being advertised online through Los Angeles Magazine as well as on DLBA’s social media channels, which have extensive reach. To sign up, click here.
Although these restrictions are difficult, compliance with health protocols is critical to curb the current rise in COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations. Now is the time to double down on wearing masks, distancing, and employing health and safety protocols at local businesses. DLBA will continue to inform its stakeholders of new regulations as they occur, and to provide resources and tools to aid in compliance – and DLBA does urge compliance. Adhering to health protocols and best practices will help prevent the spread of COVID-19, and it is the ONLY way to avoid another full shutdown.
Questions may be directed to DLBA Communications Manager Samantha Mehlinger at SamanthaM@dlba.org. Businesses may reach out to DLBA Economic Development & Policy Manager Austin Metoyer at AustinM@dlba.org.