Los Angeles County announced outdoor dining can resume on Friday, but health officials mandated that restaurants and breweries keep their televisions off.
Local authorities are allowing bars, restaurants, and wineries to operate outdoor service due to a “recent decrease in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.” However, tables must not have more than six people, members of other households can’t sit together, service must be at 50% capacity, employees must wear both masks and face shields, and managers must power off their TVs.
“Televisions or any other screens that are used to broadcast programming must be removed from the area or turned off,” the County of Los Angeles Department of Health wrote. “This provision is effective until further notice.”
The TV ban will likely be in place during Super Bowl LV, where the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Tampa Buccaneers on Feb. 7. Health officials said the order will help to avoid repetition of previous coronavirus “super-spreader” events inspired by sporting events. The Los Angeles Lakers championship win sparked a densely packed riot resulting in 76 arrests. The Los Angeles Dodgers 2020 World Series win also saw similar unrest, looting, and packed streets.
“We know that Super Bowl Sunday is coming up, and we can’t repeat the mistakes of the past,” Los Angeles County public health Director Barbara Ferrer said. “It will be tragic if the Super Bowl becomes a super-spreader of coronavirus.”
The Friday order lifts a 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. closure order on nonessential businesses, and indoor dining is still set to remain shuttered. Long Beach and Pasadena earlier in the week decided to reopen outdoor dining as well, although it is unclear if the localities are planning to implement a TV prohibition.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday lifted the state’s mandatory state-at-home order that has been in place since November. Individual counties and municipalities, however, still have the ability to implement restrictions more stringent than that of the governor.
The County of Los Angeles Department of Health did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Washington Examiner.
