A California judge ruled that strip clubs and restaurants can remain open despite Gov. Gavin Newsom’s stay-at-home order.
“BREAKING: A judge just ruled that he could not find a connection between resturant services and the spread of COVID. He has directed the county to allow businesses with resturant services to operate their business safely and responsibly,” County Supervisor Jim Desmond said of the ruling.
The judge, Joel Wohlfeil, said in his ruling that the court “questions whether there is a rational nexus between the percentage of ICU bed capacity throughout the Southern California Region … and plaintiff’s establishments, in San Diego County.”
Wohlfeil’s ruling was in response to a lawsuit filed by strip clubs called Pacers and Cheetahs, but his ruling appears to extend beyond adult entertainment businesses, addressing restaurants as well.
“Defendants, on the other hand, have provided the Court with no evidence that Plaintiffs providing live adult entertainment and San Diego County businesses with restaurant service … who’ve implemented protocols as directed by the County, have impacted ICU bed capacity throughout the Southern California Region,” Wohlfeil continued.
The judge ruled that “pending the trial of this case, Defendants … and any governmental entity or law enforcement officer are hereby ENJOINED from enforcing the provisions of the cease and desist order.”
Newsom’s office relayed to the media that it is disappointed in the judge’s ruling but that they “remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting the health and safety of all Californians.”
“Our legal team is reviewing options to determine next steps,” Newsom’s office said.
Newsom is currently facing a growing recall effort that was spurred after he was seen dining in a swanky French restaurant with a large party and not wearing a mask. He has since set strict restriction measures in the state that have sparked more condemnation from small business owners and other Californians.
