News from the State of California

Sacramento, CA: As COVID-19 transmission rates continue to rise, this guidance instructs counties that have been on the County Monitoring List for three consecutive days or more to close indoor operations for certain sectors which promote the mixing of populations beyond households and make adherence to physical distancing with face coverings difficult. Within those sectors, those that are not able to continue their business through outdoor operations must close that portion of their business effective immediately for at least three (3) weeks, in order to further mitigate the spread of the virus.  In addition, all brewpubs, breweries, bars, and pubs in these counties must close, both indoors and outdoors.

Given current rates of disease transmission in some counties and the need to reduce gatherings where mixing with individuals outside of one’s household and disease spread occur, CDPH is requiring closure, within counties on the county monitoring list (to include Riverside County) for three or more consecutive days, of indoor operations, while allowing outdoor operations with appropriate modifications, including physical distancing and face coverings, for the following sectors:

• Dine-in Restaurants

• Wineries and Tasting Rooms

• Movie Theaters

• Family Entertainment Centers

• Zoos and Museums

• Cardrooms

All industry or sector guidance documents that have been issued to date, including all infectious control measures outlined in those guidance documents, apply in outdoor settings, and thus must be adhered to. In addition, all brewpubs, breweries, bars, and pubs must close indoor and outdoor operations in these counties.

Statement from Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce

“As COVID-19 numbers continue to climb in our community, it has set alarm bells off for all of us,” says Joshua Bonner, President and CEO of the Chamber.  “The Chamber has joined in with local elected leaders and business partners to aggressively message to our community the need to wear face coverings and practice social distancing in all group settings.”

“The announcement regarding restrictions on dine-in restaurants, zoos, and museums was unexpected.  The County of Riverside Heath Department has continued to convey to us that the majority of contact tracing being performed indicates that COVID-19 spread (clusters) is not happening within these establishments, rather most cases are tracing to family get together’s, social gatherings and large group gatherings that are happening outside of business establishments. We hope that our local and state elected leaders continue to drive that point home within their communities.  The hard truth for all of us is we need to not only practice face covering and social distancing when we are out engaging in commerce, we must also practice it within our homes when we have visitors, or when we participate in group gatherings outside the home.  With the Fourth of July weekend upon us, that message will be critically important to get out to our community.”