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-Editorial
Indoor dining at restaurants, bars, breweries, and wineries will close July 7 for at least three weeks, after the County remained on the state’s Monitoring List for three consecutive days due to the region’s high number of COVID-19 cases.
Outdoor/patio dining today is still permitted until 10 p.m., but patrons must leave the premises by 11 p.m. Also, pickup, delivery, and drive-thru can still occur.
“Given the state’s new shutdown order has an immediate impact on local businesses, I’ll be signing an emergency Executive Order that will waive regulatory requirements and help restaurants expand their service outdoors, increasing physical distance between employees and customers,” San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer said on Tweeter.
State guidance requires that indoor activities be closed in the 23 counties in the state that have more than 100 COVID-19 cases per every 100,000 residents in a 14-day period, after being on California’s watchlist for three days.
In the past three days, the rate of COVID-19 cases in San Diego County using the state’s formula is now at 136.1.
“This metric has been abnormal for several days,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer, adding that it coincides with more outbreaks in community settings, especially in restaurants and bars. “This supports the actions we are taking today and that are being imposed upon us.”
Indoor activities also will be restricted at movie theaters, family entertainment centers such as bowling alleys and batting cages, as well as museums, zoos, and cardrooms.
Indoor activities will be restricted for at least three weeks, a requirement the state implemented to slow the spread of COVID-19. If the rate of infection for the region does not fall below 100, the period of restrictions could be extended unless the state issues new guidance.
In recent weeks, the percentage of cases in people between 20 and 39 years old has been increasing compared to other age groups. Currently, they represent about 50% of the cases being reported.
“The surge in cases is occurring in these age groups because they are less likely to wear a face covering and maintain physical distance,” Wooten said.
One new outbreak was reported on July 5, in a restaurant/bar. In the past seven days, 21 community setting outbreaks were identified. The number of new outbreaks in community settings is above the trigger of seven in seven days.
