Newsom Asks RivCo To Close Bars As Coronavirus Rebounds

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday recommended that eight counties, including Riverside, close all bars and other nightclubs, citing the rebounding rates of coronavirus infections across much of the state.

In a statement issued by state public health director Dr. Sonia Angell, Newsom also suggested that Contra Costa, Sacramento, Santa Clara, San Bernardino, Ventura, Santa Barbara and Stanislaus counties issue local orders shuttering bars.

Riverside County health officials said they were conferring with state officials on how to proceed.

"We are working closely with the state to determine next steps regarding bars, including any potential impacts to restaurants that also have bars," county spokeswoman Brooke Federico said Sunday.

Bars in the region were allowed to reopen on June 12, so long as they followed strict safety protocols.

But Riverside County has seen a spike in COVID-19 cases recently. On Friday, health officials reported three COVID-19 deaths and 501 newly confirmed infections, along with a jump in the number of patients in intensive care units.

Later Sunday afternoon, the governor's office clarified that bars were already closed in Santa Clara and Contra Costa counties, and that the state is now recommending they stay closed.

Also on Sunday, Newsom ordered that seven counties with more severe outbreaks immediately close all bars. That order applies to Los Angeles, Fresno, Kern, Tulare and Kings counties, as well as Imperial and San Joaquin counties, where bars were already closed.

NEW: Due to the rising spread of #COVID19, CA is ordering bars to close in Fresno, Imperial, Kern, Kings, Los Angeles, San Joaquin, and Tulare, while recommending they close in Contra Costa, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Stanislaus, & Ventura.
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 28, 2020

The counties being ordered to close bars have been on the state's watch list for more than 14 days, while those being asked to shutter bars have been on the list for between three and 14 days.

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“COVID-19 is still circulating in California, and in some parts of the state, growing stronger,” Newsom wrote. “That’s why it is critical we take this step to limit the spread of the virus in the counties that are seeing the biggest increases.”

In the news release, state health officials explained the rationale for singling out bars for closure, describing them as uniquely high-risk environments. Alcohol consumption can impair judgment, leading people to ignore requirements for face coverings and social distancing, the state said.

Plus, they are often noisy, requiring people to raise their voices and risk spreading virus-infected droplets between groups, according to officials. Contact tracing is also harder among bar patrons, since customers mix frequently and records often aren’t kept.

“Public health professionals within California and throughout the nation have identified bars as the highest risk sector of non-essential business currently open,” the state said Sunday.

In recent days, state officials have expressed growing concern over increasing rates of community transmission of COVID-19 as California reopens much of its economy.

The state has seen rising rates of positive tests, including 5,972 new cases and 60 deaths reported Friday reported Saturday, and growing numbers of people hospitalized after contracting the virus.

Newsom responded to the trend on June 18 by mandating face coverings in all public places or when social distancing can't be maintained, minus a few exceptions.

City News Service contributed to this report.

Full coronavirus coverage: Coronavirus In California: What To Know