LA County Reopens Gyms, Museums, Sports & More: New Health Order

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CA — In the biggest modification so far to its stay-home order, Los Angeles County on Wednesday announced it would allow a wide range of facilities to reopen to the public following months of coronavirus-related closures, including gyms, museums and professional sports.

The county's stay-at-home order, issued in March to slow the spread of COVID-19, will be modified Thursday to allow the following places to reopen starting Friday:

• Gyms and fitness facilities
• Professional sports without live audiences
• Day camps
• Museums, galleries, zoos and aquariums
• Campgrounds, outdoor recreation and RV parks
• Music, film and television production
• Hotels, lodging and short-term rentals for tourism and personal travel

The county's reopening will put it in Stage 3 of the state's four-stage reopening plan. Los Angeles County has already received a variance from the state plan, allowing it to reopen at a faster pace than the rest of the state.

The county's economy, which has been hard-hit by the coronavirus crisis, could see a boost as major sectors are permitted to open back up. Still, the coronavirus remains present, and health officials Wednesday urged residents to continue to maintain social distancing and wear face coverings.

The region could also close back down if virus cases spike again, officials warned.

"If at any time, the County’s rate of infection and other key metrics demonstrate a rapid acceleration of new cases that threatens to overwhelm the healthcare system, the Department of Public Health and the Board of Supervisors may need to limit future re-openings or close reopened sectors," the county said in a news release.

Sectors that reopen will look very different than they did before, as strict health guidelines will be in place everywhere from gyms to museums, officials said.

Meanwhile, higher-risk places that remain closed include nail salons, tattoo shops, bars and wineries, movie theaters and other entertainment venues, stadiums and sports arenas, public pools and theme parks.

A full list of what is opened and closed is available on the county's website.

Full coronavirus coverage: Coronavirus In California: What To Know