Calif. judge says strip club ruling protects restaurants
SAN DIEGO — A California judge cleared the way Thursday for all restaurants in San Diego County to resume on-site dining, marking a major setback to the governor’s stay-at-home order to slow the spread of the coronavirus before the state’s intensive care units run out of beds.
The case brought to the court by two San Diego strip clubs handed the biggest victory yet to California businesses fighting public health orders that they say have crippled them economically.
It was unclear if the ruling could spark other legal wins for businesses in other parts of the state.
San Diego Superior Court Judge Joel Wohlfeil told county officials who requested the hearing Thursday to get clarification that his order was “straightforward” and goes beyond the two strip clubs, Cheetahs Gentlemen’s Club and Pacers Showgirls International. The clubs had sued the county and state.
“It is intended to encompass all restaurants within the county of San Diego,” he said in a brief hearing that lasted all but eight minutes.
County and state officials did not provide immediate comment after the hearing.
Hours after the injunction was issued Wednesday, San Diego County had suspended enforcement of its restrictions barring indoor and outdoor dining and live entertainment in the county of 3 million, the state’s second-most populous.
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office said in a statement that it was disappointed in the court’s decision, though “we remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting the health and safety of all Californians.”