SoCal restaurant, bar owners take another hit before the holiday weekend amid coronavirus case surge
LOS ANGELES - Restaurant and bar owners are facing another big blow after California Governor Gavin Newsom shut down indoor dining in most of Southern California, including Los Angeles County for at least the next three weeks due to a surge in COVID-19 cases.
Bars and tasting rooms must close unless they have outside seating and serve food.
RELATED: Gov. Newsom calls for immediate closure of indoor operations at sectors in 19 California counties
The restrictions affect 18 other counties in California including Orange, Ventura, Riverside, San Bernardino and Santa Barbara. The counties together account for more than 70% of the state’s population.
Many managers have spent tens of thousands of dollars to restock supplies, rehire staff and follow proper safety protocols, only to find out they can only stay open for outdoor dining, take-out and delivery.
RELATED: Stay up to date on all coronavirus-related information
Dozens of restaurants in beach communities like Santa Monica and Manhattan Beach have created outside seating but restaurant owners in the city of LA have cited problems and delays in getting approval, furthering their frustrations.
Other sectors that were shut down to help slow the spread of the coronavirus were movie theaters, zoos, museums, cardrooms, and family entertainment centers.
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