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Newsom Orders Closure of Bars, Restaurants and Movie Theaters in 19 Counties Ahead of July 4 Weekend

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Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a three-week closure of indoor activities in 19 counties in an attempt to control rising COVID-19 cases — including three counties in the Bay Area. ( FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images)

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday announced the three-week closure of many commercial indoor activities in 19 counties — including three in the Bay Area — in an attempt to control rising COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.

“We want to be proactive and get us through the Fourth of July weekend in a way not to see a spike in cases," Newsom said in a midday briefing.

The order, from the state Department of Public Health, includes the closure of indoor operations in restaurants, wineries, bars and tasting rooms, movie theaters, zoos, museums and card rooms.

The action is part of the governor's “dimmer switch” approach to reopening the state, in which restrictions can be reinstated as well as eased. The 19 counties have been on a watch list for at least three consecutive days, and represent more than 70% of the state’s population. They include Contra Costa, Santa Clara and Solano Counties in the Bay Area.

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Parking lots at many state beaches near highly populated areas throughout the state will also be closed over the weekend, including in the Bay Area. In counties that have closed local beaches, state beaches will close. In the Bay Area, parking lots will be closed for beaches over the weekend in the following counties: Marin, Monterey, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Cruz and Sonoma.

Gov. Newsom also recommended the counties with mandatory closures consider canceling July Fourth fireworks displays — something San Francisco and other areas have already announced.

—  Danielle Venton (@DanielleVenton) and Carly Severn (@teacupinthebay)

 

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