Riverside County has issued an order to close all bars without food service, beginning Tuesday, June 30 at 2:01 am.
“People don’t distance themselves much after a couple of drinks, and it’s one of the most difficult environments to trace contacts,” said Dr. Cameron Kaiser, Riverside County public health officer. “I hope this is only temporary and that no more closings are needed, but it all depends on what each of us as a county does to further curb the spread.”
Breweries, breweries, bars, and pubs, throughout Riverside County, must close until further notice unless they offer dinner meals.
Locations that do not normally provide meals can still partner with another provider to do so, provided both companies continuein-in restaurant guide and alcohol is only sold in the same transaction as a meal.
Over the weekend, Governor Gavin Newsom ordered the closure of bars in some California counties and recommended the closure of bars in others, including Riverside and San Bernardino.
During a press conference Monday at noon, Newsom mentioned that if a county on the watch list remained on the list for more than 14 days, the state would close the county bars.
This occurs as cases throughout Riverside County continue to increase, driving ICU capacity to 99% over the weekend.
“Since mid-June, there has been a growing health crisis with increasing coronavirus cases, hospitalizations, and ICU bed use across our nation, the state of California, and here in Riverside County. Unfortunately , a local Riverside County order was required for the closing of bars, delaying the spread of this virus, “writes District 4 Supervisor Manuel Pérez.
Over the weekend, several bars in Palm Springs closed voluntarily due to concerns with the recent outbreak.
“You should care enough about your employees and the community in which you work,” said Claudia Murphy, co-owner of Tonga Hut. “You have to care enough about them to make the right decision, even if it’s commercially difficult.”
Details: Some Palm Springs bars voluntarily close as concern over coronavirus spreads
Hunters Nightclub and Street Bar on Arenas Road in downtown Palm Springs closed their doors this weekend too after several employees tested positive for coronavirus.
Dringk at the River at Rancho Mirage closed its doors last week after the owner and employees reported receiving violent threats. This comes after a photo showing the crowded bar ignited a social media storm.
EXCLUSIVE STORY: Dringk closes after owner says he was threatened by social estrangement and face masks
Shortly after Riverside County issued its order, San Diego County announced a similar order that closes all bars without a food license.
