Pasadena Still Deciding Whether To Follow County Outdoor-Dining Ban, No Action Taken For Now

“We’re assessing the data currently,’’ Mermell said during Monday’s City Council meeting – a day after the county said it would limit restaurants, as well as bars, breweries and wineries, to takeout and delivery orders only starting on Wednesday at 10 p.m.

The county order is scheduled to last three weeks, though it could be extended of COVID-19 continue to rise.

But Pasadena, one of three cities in L.A. County with its own health department, still might go another way, perhaps allowing restaurants to continue outdoor dining, according to Mermell.

“We’re extremely concerned about increases in cases,’’ Mermell said. “But we want to be cognizant of not coming down hard on one segment of our local economy unless the data bears that out to the extent that we can determine.

“So we’re being careful, we’re being measured. I’m sorry we don’t have a definitive answer for you, but we also didn’t want to do the kneejerk of just falling in step with L.A. County until we can make our own assessment, and that’s what we’re currently doing.

“Once we reach a conclusion, we will do all that we can to share information (in a) timely (manner) to provide advance notice.

“We haven’t reached a conclusion as of yet,’’ Mermell added. “It’s my sincere hope … that we don’t need to take a step as drastic as what the county announced.’’

Earlier Pasadena Public Health Director Dr. Ying Ying Goh said at this time there will not be an additional order prohibiting outdoor dining.

“Please follow the public health guidance and orders,” she said.