COVID-19 continues to plague the United States, which has registered 2.5 million cases (File)
Los Angeles, United States:
The governor of California on Wednesday ordered restaurants to close their restaurants in Los Angeles and 18 other counties severely affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Gavin Newsom order will remain in place for at least three weeks and will also affect bars, wineries, cinemas, museums and other businesses.
“These 19 counties represent more than 70 percent of the population here in the state of California,” Newsom said in a live press conference.
“With that, we have specifically targeted our efforts to shut down domestic operations.”
COVID-19 continues to plague the United States, which has recorded more than 125,000 deaths and 2.5 million cases.
In California – which has claimed more than 6,000 lives – several counties, including Los Angeles, have broken new daily case records in recent days, and positivity rates among those tested have skyrocketed.
Restaurants were originally allowed to reopen at the end of May, but are now limited to outdoor and take-out meals.
Los Angeles County bars had to close last weekend, barely a week after they reopened.
Cinemas were never allowed to reopen in Los Angeles, but have resumed in other parts of the state.
Upcoming beach rallies over the July 4 holiday weekend and city fireworks have also been banned.
Newsom on Wednesday urged other countries on the state’s coronavirus watch list – including Sacramento, Orange and Riverside – to consider canceling all fireworks on the weekend of July 4.
Parking on beaches in southern California and parts of the rest of the state will also be closed, Newsom added.
