LA County BANS outdoor dining, limits purchase of toilet paper

Perhaps one of the only normal aspects of the new pandemic lifestyle, for many, is outdoor dining. After months of being stuck at home, people were craving any sense of normalcy, and going to eat outdoors at their favorite restaurant provided it. 

With winter approaching, restaurants across the country have spent loads of time and money modifying their outdoor seating arrangements, putting up tents, lights, heaters and more to ensure the comfort – and safety – of their patrons. 

But, in Los Angeles County, all that hard work is going to waste, as health officials just imposed a three-week ban on all in-person dining, even outdoors. 

“To reduce the possibility for crowding and the potential for exposures in settings where people are not wearing their face coverings, restaurants, breweries, wineries and bars will only be able to offer take-out, drive thru and delivery services,” officials announced Sunday. 

“Wineries and breweries may continue their retail operations adhering to current protocols. In person dining will not be allowed, at minimum, for the next 3 weeks, the announcement continued. 

The new ban is set to take effect Wednesday at 10 p.m. 

“Last week, Los Angeles County established thresholds for additional actions if the five-day average of cases is 4,000 or more or hospitalizations are more than 1,750 per day, to restrict in-person dining and restaurants, breweries, wineries and bars,” the announcement said, adding that the five-day average currently stands at 4,097. 

If the number rises to 4,500 or more and hospitalizations increase to 2,000 or more per day, the county will issue a mandatory stay-at-home order. 

“Public Health reminds everyone to stay at home as much as possible for the next two to three weeks to change the trajectory of surging cases and save lives. COVID-19 can be unintentionally spread to other people unless we all practice the simple safety precautions that prevent the spread,” the announcement said. “Virus transmission can be significantly reduced if we all keep distance from others who we don’t live with, always wear a face covering properly over our nose and mouth, and wash our hands frequently.” 

Amid this spike, retailers throughout the Golden State have also begun to limit purchases of toilet paper as the item becomes scarce once again, BizPacReview reports. 

“We put the limits on out of caution. The supply chain’s in a better position to handle this rush,” Kevin Curry, president of Albertsons’ Southern California division told the Los Angeles Times. 

This new restriction is undoubtedly going to hit businesses hard after months of preparing their outdoor spaces to comply with the rules. 

“L.A. County’s #COVID19 messaging has been all over the place since the beginning, despite paying PR firms $3 million. They now announce a knockout blow to restaurants via a tweet, and provide zero supporting science backing the idea that outdoor dining is fueling the spread,” FOXLA correspondent Bill Melugin tweeted. 

“L.A. County should reimburse every single one of these businesses that spent thousands making modifications to move outdoors and retrofit for safety,” he continued. “Maybe start with some of those fat county salaries? None of the people making the decisions have to worry about their livelihoods,” he added. 

L.A. County should reimburse every single one of these businesses that spent thousands making modifications to move outdoors and retrofit for safety. Maybe start with some of those fat county salaries? None of the people making the decisions have to worry about their livelihoods.

— Bill Melugin (@BillFOXLA) November 23, 2020

Leo Terrell described the ban as “ridiculous and shameful” in a tweet.

“California has been taken over  by Socialists. Effective Wednesday, no outdoor dining at all in Los Angeles County,” he said.

“Democrats are destroying the economy by using COVID-19 as an excuse to control our ives. Ridiculous and Shameful,” he added.

California has been taken over by Socialists. Effective Wednesday, no outdoor dining at all in Los Angeles County. Democrats are destroying the economy by using COVID-19 as an excuse to control our lives. Ridiculous and Shameful . @realDonaldTrump save us. @FoxNews @newsmax

— TheLeoTerrell (@TheLeoTerrell) November 23, 2020

Terrell also called the shutdown a loss of liberty.

“I cannot take these arbitrary shut downs and/or lockdowns. We have to do something about this,” he said.

“We are losing our freedom and our liberties in California and throughout this country,” he added.

I cannot take these arbitrary shut downs and/or lockdowns . We have to do something about this. We are losing our freedom and our liberties in California and throughout this country. I am open to suggestions. @realDonaldTrump @newsmax @FoxNews @foxnation @seanhannity @GavinNewsom

— TheLeoTerrell (@TheLeoTerrell) November 23, 2020