(Jan. 25, 2021) -- Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced that a state run system will control how and when residents can obtain vaccines and simultaneously lifted his statewide "stay at home" order, thereby enabling a resumption of outdoor dining, gyms for outdoor workouts, reopening of hair salons and other activities. Social distancing and other requirements will remain, Regarding the public's ability to obtain vaccines, Gov. Newsom said his administration would transition to "a unified statewide network" and launch "My Turn," a pilot program currently used in Los Angeles and San Diego Counties. He said the system (which has produced mixed results with frustrations for a still unknown number of residents seeking but not receiving appointments) will [Gov.release text] "make it easier for people to know when they are eligible for vaccination and how to make an appointment, accelerate the administration of vaccines on hand and improve the state’s ability to track vaccination data" (details/release text below.) Gov. Newsom lifted his November 2020 lockdown order and returned to the previous color-coded system in which LA County is in the "purple" category -- most restrictive as COVID-19 is deemed "widespread" -- but still allows outdoor divining. Although Intensive Care Unit (ICU) capacity is currently at or near zero, Gov, Newsom asaid a decline in current COVID-19 case rates leads his administration to project that ICU capacity will increase in the coming weeks. Newsom dismissed suggestions that his action is motivated by a progressing recall and lawsuits (the latter questioning the factual basis for his ban on outdoor dining.). At mid afternoon Jan 25, Board of Supervisors Board chair Hilda Solis indicated LA County will "essentially align" with the state, and not apply tougher than standards than Sac'to applies. Since Long Beach (like Pasadena) has an independent Health Dept, it could apply tougher standards than L.A.County...or follow LA County's practice (as LB has generally done.) A release and/or press event on the City of LB's position is expected shortly. Earlier today, OC announced restoring outdoor dining. On November 25, 2020 the Long Beach Health Dept. and LA County Health Depts responded to a surge in COVID-19 cases by revising their respective Health Orders to apply additional restrictions, including a prohibition on outdoor restaurant dining. In Long Beach, Mayor Robert Garcia and City Councilmembers voiced no publicly stated dissent to a Nov. 23 order by LB City Mgm't's Health Officer Dr, Anissa Davis that prohibits on-site dining, including outdoor dining, at restaurants, brewpubs, breweries, bars, pubs, craft distilleries and wineries. The new order prohibits any service of food or beverages, including alcoholic beverages, where a customer remains on site to consume the food or beverages. It allows restaurants (which include brewpubs, breweries, bars, pubs, craft distilleries and wineries) to operate for drive-thru, curbside, doorside or other outdoor pickup and delivery under certain conditions. e On Nov. 23, Mayor Garcia acknowledged in a City webcast briefing that the restaurant outdoor dining ban will hurt some of his friends and cause workers serious personal and economic damage but said an important aspect of his job is to ensure available hospital beds/ventilators and discourage gathers that can spread the virus. On Nov. 24, the LA County Board of Supervisors voted 2-3 to defeat a motion by Supervisors Barger and Hahn that sought to continue outdoor restaurant dining. During Supervisors' discussion prior to the vote, Supervisor Hilda Solis volunteered that Mayor Garcia had sent her a text message urging her to "do the right thing" (but didn't say what that was or provide other details.) Supervisor Solis went on to join the Board of Supervisors majority in voting down the Barger-Hahn motion. [Scroll down for further.] - |
  e   |
