Bars in seven California counties were ordered to close once again by Gov. Gavin Newsom because of a new spike in coronavirus cases.
Newsom, a Democrat, announced on Sunday that bars in Fresno, Imperial, Kern, Kings, Los Angeles, San Joaquin, and Tulare counties must close back down, less than one month after they were allowed to reopen. The governor additionally advised bars in Contra Costa, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Stanislaus, and Ventura counties to close as well, though they are not mandated to do so.
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
California has been suffering a spike in coronavirus cases over the past few weeks since the state’s reopening began. The reopening started just as massive protests against police brutality and racial injustice broke out in California and throughout the nation following the death of George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man who died after an officer knelt on his neck for several minutes during an arrest in Minneapolis.
Los Angeles County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said last week it was “highly likely” that the protests contributed to a spike in COVID-19 cases, but the exact reasoning behind the spike is unclear.
California is one of several states to see an increase in confirmed coronavirus cases. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, made a similar order to once again close bars and limit capacity in restaurants to help curb the spread of the virus last week. Florida also closed down bars in the state on Saturday amid a rise in cases.
