Judge Rules County Acted ‘Without Rational Justification’ in Closing Outdoor Dining, But It’s Still Barred

At noon Pasadena residents were unnerved by an alert on cell phones at noon today informing them that COVID-19 “is spreading rapidly and stay home except for essential activities.”

The alert was sent to the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services to residents in regions under the existing stay at home order, which include Pasadena and the rest of Southern California.

The alert came after, but is unrelated to, a ruling by  LA County Judge James Chalfant who tentatively ruled on Tuesday that Los Angeles County acted “arbitrarily” and without “rational” justification when it ordered a closure to all outdoor dining at restaurants as a coronavirus-control measure.

Chalfant noted, that due to the state’s overriding regional stay-at-home order that also includes an in-person dining ban, “outdoor restaurant dining in the county cannot reopen at this time.” Chalfant will be holding a hearing on the issue at 1:30 p.m.

Although Pasadena did not comply with the county order, it is bound by the state order.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more information comes in.