New orders amid rising diagnoses

County concern over rising daily case rate prompts Public Health to tighten restrictions on gatherings

Modifications to the Los Angeles county health officer order will go into effect Monday after public health officials report the fiveday average of COVID-19 cases continues to be over 4,500.

Public Health officials announced in a news release modifications to the “targeted safer at home” order in order to mitigate community transmission of the virus after reporting an additional 4,544 cases countywide Friday. The order will remain in effect until Dec. 20.

“With the recent surge of COVID-19 across our community, we must take additional safety measures to reduce the risk of illness and death from this terrible virus and protect our health care system,” said Public Health director Barbara Ferrer in a press release. “These targeted measures are in effect for the next

three weeks and still allow for many essential and non-essential activities where residents are always masked and distanced.

The changes include a ban on gatherings outside of a single household, reduced occupancy at businesses and closure of nonessential businesses.

Previously, public health officials announced gatherings can be held with no more than three households as long as social distancing guidelines are followed. However, after a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases since the beginning of November, Public Health officials are now prohibiting all gatherings with mixed households.

Businesses will be required to reduce occupancy under the modified order, which include:

Essential retail – 35% maximum occupancy.

Non-essential retail (includes indoor malls) – 20% maximum occupancy.

Personal care services – 20% maximum occupancy.

Libraries – 20% maximum occupancy.

Fitness centers operating outdoors – 50% maximum occupancy.

Museums galleries, zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens operating outdoors – 50% maximum occupancy.

Mini-golf, batting cages, go-kart racing operating outdoors – 50% maximum occupancy.

Cardrooms and playgrounds will be required to close for the duration of the modified order as they are not deemed essential businesses by Public Health.

Schools and day camps are able to remain open for small cohorts, but would be required to close for 14 days if an outbreak of three or more cases occur.