Los Angeles County is going to enforce extreme COVID-19 restrictions ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. So far, Los Angeles is the latest county to suspend dining at restaurants.

(Photo : Mario Tama/Getty Images)
People outside the restaurant in Los Angeles.

Different state and local officials are now implementing various measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, most especially in the upcoming Thanksgiving and holidays.

Health officials have already advised everyone to celebrate Thanksgiving with the people you live within the same household. They also discouraged big gatherings to prevent COVID-19 transmission. 

Los Angeles County is so far the latest area in the country to enforce extreme COVID-19 restrictions ahead of Thanksgiving.

California public health officials announced on Sunday a countywide suspension of indoor and outdoor dining at restaurants, according to One America News Network.

Bad news for restaurant owners

The order of suspension includes bars, wineries, and breweries and will take effect on Wednesday, November 25.

According to the public health officials, the suspension of such establishments is due to the increasing number of COVID-19 infections in the state. 

Moreover, they also added that if numbers worsen, there might be additional COVID-19 restrictions that they will enforce in the upcoming days.

They want to make sure that COVID-19 measures will be strictly implemented ahead of the upcoming holidays to prevent the spread of the virus. 

However, despite the aim of public health officials, some restaurant owners did not embrace their decision.

They said that such restriction will only affect their businesses. Some of them just recently opened after months of lockdown and have not yet economically recovered. 

Read also: California Theme Parks Need to Stay Closed, Newsom Says 

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles County saidon their social media account, "As new COVID-19 cases remain at alarming levels and the number of people hospitalized continues to increase, the LA County Health Officer Order will be modified to restrict dining at restaurants, breweries, wineries, and bars, effective Wednesday, November 25 at 10:00 p.m."

This is the latest move of the state public health officials after California Governor Gavin Newsom implemented a statewide curfew, shutting down non-essential gatherings and activities until late December.

In a tweet, Gov. Newsom wrote on Nov. 19: "Due to the rise in #COVID19 cases, CA is issuing a limited Stay at Home Order. Non-essential work and gatherings must stop from 10 pm-5 am in counties in the purple tier. This will take effect at 10 pm on Saturday and remain for 1 month. Together-we can flatten the curve again."

Capt. Edward C. Ramirez of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department emphasized that they will not be using "criminal law to enforse these things." He also claimed that their deputies are not going to be running around town, looking for offenders to arrest.

It was also made clear in the order that even the dining in at restaurants and other establishments will be banned. Businesses will only be permitted to provide take-out, drive-thru, and delivery services. 

Read also: Newsom Imposes Overnight Curfew in California to Curb COVID-19 Surge