Regional Stay-At-Home Order Could be Extended

The three-week state stay-home-order issued by Gov. Gavin Newsom is scheduled to end later this month, on December 30.

But before businesses rush to reopen, it is likely that due to the lack of intensive care units bed and continued unimpeded spread of the coronavirus the order will be extended.

“We are likely — I think it’s pretty self-evident — going to need to extend those original dates,” Newsom said on Monday. 

Newsom did not say how much longer the orders might be extended.

The virus has surged since the order was enacted, leaving hospitals with even fewer beds. 

Currently, all of Southern California is under the order which is imposed according to remaining capacity in intensive care units.

According to recent reports, the region is all but out of space and soon may not be able to treat COVID-19 patients. 

L.A. County is now moving toward becoming the epicenter of the pandemic, said Brad Spielberg, chief medical officer at Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center. 

“We are not at the stage yet at which other parts of the world, including in the United States, have suffered catastrophic consequences, but we are heading in that direction,” Spielberg said. “And if we don’t stop the spread, our hospitals will be overwhelmed.”

The stay-at-home order banned gatherings of people from different households. It also forced the closure of all bars, wineries, personal service businesses, hair salons, and barbershops. 

Schools with waivers have been allowed to remain open, along with “critical infrastructure.” Retail stores are limited to 20 percent of capacity, and restaurants are restricted to takeout and delivery service only.

The order has faced a court challenge from restaurant and strip club owners in San Diego. A judge there ruled against the state in San Diego, but a California Court of Appeals blocked that judge’s temporary injunction allowing county restaurants to reopen on-site dining, reducing them, once again, to takeout services only.

In a letter to Newson, 11 California senators, consisting of both state Democrats and Republicans, asked the governor to classify restaurants as essential and allow them to resume outdoor on-site dining while following protocols, noting in the letter that “these essential businesses do more than simply provide a place to eat.”

The state still has a travel advisory in place recommending against nonessential travel and urging people to quarantine when they return to the state.