Newsom Orders Statewide Shutdown of All Bars, Indoor Restaurants, Entertainment Centers

With COVID-19 cases continuing to rise in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday ordered all counties in the state to shut down bars and cease indoor services at restaurants, entertainment centers and a spate of other indoor businesses.

Newsom said the order, effective immediately, was driven by data showing a steady increase in cases of the coronavirus statewide, with an average of 8,200 Californians testing positive each day over the past week. Hospitalizations have also increased by 28% over the past two weeks, he said, noting that while plenty of ICU beds are still available statewide, some rural hospitals are running out of critical care space. The data suggest not everyone is using common sense, he added.

"It is incumbent on all of us to recognize soberly that COVID-19 is not going away anytime soon until there is a vaccine and/or an effective therapy," Newsom said.

The list of businesses required to shut down across the state includes wineries, zoos, museums, cardrooms, movie theaters and family entertainment centers (like bowling alleys and batting cages). Additionally, he ordered 30 counties — comprising about 80% of the state's population — to close indoor operations at fitness centers, places of worship, non-essential business offices, personal care services, malls, hair salons and barbershops.

The announcement expands the governor's July 1 order, initially requiring 19 counties to close bars and indoor operations at restaurants, wineries, zoos, museums and movie theaters.

— Marisa Lagos (@mlagos)