Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday announced that indoor operations of several newly reopened sectors must close immediately, including fitness centers, hair salons, barber shops and worship services.
The announcement comes as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations spiked statewide. More than 1,100 people have died of the disease over the last two weeks and hospitalizations are up 28% and intensive care unit usage is up 20% throughout the state, Newsom said.
“This continues to be a deadly disease,” Newsom said. He urged that the state’s response to the pandemic has always been like a “dimmer switch,” not a hard on/off switch for closures.
Thirty counties, including Los Angeles County and Orange County, must close all indoor activities at:
- Fitness Centers
- Places of Worship
- Offices for Non-Critical Sectors
- Personal Care Services
- Hair Salons and Barbershops
- Malls
Office-based businesses not identified as an essential business, healthcare operation or essential infrastructure must operate via telework and for minimum basic operations only, city officials said.
Bars, zoos, museums and indoor-dining at restaurants were also on the governor’s list of closures, but those were already closed in LA County. In addition hot tubs, saunas and steam rooms in common spaces and at apartment buildings are required to close because it’s impossible to physically distance.
All the closures apply to Long Beach as well, even though the city has its own health department separate from LA County.
The health order also notes that no indoor protests are allowed and goes into effect after midnight.
County health officials reported 2,056 people were hospitalized due to COVID-19, 28% of which are in the ICU and 20% are on ventilators. In Long Beach, officials reported that 97 people are hospitalized, however that number is likely an undercount because the numbers are usually revised later on.
A total of 149 people have died in Long Beach, 112 of whom are associated with long-term care facilities.
Newsom warned that residents should not get complacent now in the summer months. The virus isn’t going away in the hot weather, he said.
Newsom urged residents to limit mixing with people outside their households and if you must mix, to do it outside and while wearing masks and physically distancing.