New LA County ‘safer at home’ ordinance places additional limits on gatherings, closes playgrounds

LOS ANGELES (KABC) – Los Angeles County has issued a new, safer home ordinance that places stricter limits on gatherings and business occupancy, as well as the closure of playgrounds and arcades.

The new ordinance, which takes effect Monday and will last until at least December 20, comes as the county sees a worrying increase in COVID-19 cases.

RELATED: LA County Could See Doubling Of Cases In Two Weeks

The county averages over 4,700 new cases a day, the highest rate since the start of the pandemic. Health officials remain particularly concerned about gatherings that may have taken place during Thanksgiving, as well as the upcoming December holidays, which could further increase transmission rates.

Under the new command:

All public and private gatherings with someone outside your household are now prohibited. Exceptions are made for religious services and events protected by the Constitution.

Business occupancy limits are now 35% for essential retail businesses; 20% for non-essential retail such as outdoor malls, as well as personal care services and libraries; 50% for fitness centers operating outdoors, as well as museums, galleries, zoos and aquariums and other recreation businesses like batting cages.

Playgrounds, except those of daycares and schools, are closed. They were originally allowed to reopen in October.

The card rooms are closed. At the beginning of October, they had been authorized to reopen with external operations.

More details on the public health order are available here.

A union representing hotel and restaurant workers says it supports the new plan because it protects those who work on the front lines and regularly interact with the public.

“Our decision to support this measure is guided by science and prioritizes the health of all workers – the waiters and cooks as well as nurses and doctors,” said Kurt Peterson of Unite Here Local 11. .

Doctors also expressed support, reminding the public that more than half of coronavirus cases are spread by people who have no symptoms.

“Having a negative test within one day does not in any way guarantee that you will be negative the next day or the next,” said Dr. Greg Moran, of Olive View Medical Center UCLA. “The main message is therefore to remain vigilant.”