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Orange County Coronavirus

OC Restaurants Set to Reopen in Weeks, According to Guidance Provided by Gov. Newsom

JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC

Mill Bakery in Santa Ana serving take-out only.

By Spencer Custodio Spencer Custodio | May 8, 2020
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Orange County’s dine-in restaurants can begin reopening at some point in the coming weeks, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Friday, despite the county being behind in state goals on testing and novel coronavirus death rates. 


Editor’s Note: As Orange County’s only nonprofit & nonpartisan newsroom, Voice of OC brings you the best, most comprehensive local Coronavirus news absolutely free. No ads, no paywalls. We need your help. Please, click here to make a tax-deductible donation today to support your local news.


Retailers like toy shops, florists, clothing stores, book stores, sporting good stores and some other shops are allowed to reopen across the state Friday, along with the manufacturing and transportation businesses that support them.

Counties have to meet a strict criteria if they want to move faster in what Newsom calls the “second phase” of reopening the economy, which would allow for dine-in restaurants and shopping malls to reopen. Nearly all of the state’s large counties don’t meet those guidelines, which include no virus deaths in the two weeks.

The virus has killed 71 people out of 3,240 confirmed cases so far, according to updated OC numbers released Friday. There were also 188 people hospitalized, including 74 in intensive care units. So far, there have been 46,372 tests conducted in the county, which is home to over 3.1 million people. 

“Roughly 70 percent of the economy in the state of California can open with modifications in this next phase,” Newsom said at a Friday news conference. “With modifications means restrictions. With those restrictions means a struggle for businesses to get back before pre-pandemic.”  

Although counties like OC may not meet the criteria to open restaurants now, Newsom said that move is “weeks away” as the state moves, as a whole, to reopening those businesses

Orange County in recent weeks has become a flashpoint of resistance to Newsom’s orders, gathering momentum with his OC beach closure last week.

Supervisors Michelle Steel and Don Wagner criticized the Governor’s move, and said he unfairly singled out Orange County with his beach closures.

Nomad’s Canteen, a San Clemente bar and restaurant, opened its doors over the past weekend and became the center of the enforcement debate.

OC Health Care Agency workers were going to issue a written warning, and potentially a fine, until Wagner and Steel stepped in. 

Supervisors were split over the enforcement issue during their Tuesday meeting, but a majority said the County needs to follow state guidelines and health orders. Health Care Agency staff also said they will follow state orders. 

“If there is an order that is put in place that is saying restaurants have to operate in a certain capacity, it would be expected that our environmental health specialists would act on that,” said County Health Officer Dr. Nichole Quick at Tuesday’s county board meeting. “There would be a verbal education process, followed by a written, and then followed by a potential pulling of a health permit if a violation continued.” 

Newsom said state regulatory agencies, like the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, has been making calls and a few visits to numerous bars and restaurants that are opening up too quickly. 

Just those phone calls and number of visits really served the community as well,” Newsom said. “Many of those establishments saying, ‘I get it, we’ll shut down.’”

The Governor didn’t give a reopening date for nail and hair salons and other similar businesses, but he said that it could be “weeks away.” 

And things like concert halls, theme parks, convention centers and sports arenas won’t be opened until later in the year, which will put an increasing financial strain on cities like Anaheim, which hosts the Disneyland-area resort industry. 

The business shutdowns have devastated California’s workforce, with more than 4.3 million people filing for unemployment since March 12. 

Newsom said the unemployment rate is “the second highest to the Great Depression,” and the numbers are “jaw-dropping.” 

There were 18.2 million Californians employed in March, according to statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Factoring in the unemployment claims, the state is facing a nearly 24 percent unemployment rate. 

Newsom said the state’s going to need more federal money to help out residents. 

“We cannot do justice to the needs of 40 million Americans — Republicans and Democrats in this state that need us now more than ever without support of the federal government. Period. Full stop.” 

Here’s the latest on the virus numbers across Orange County from county data:

Spencer Custodio is a Voice of OC staff reporter. You can reach him at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerCustodio.

Digital Editor Sonya Quick contributed to this story. You can reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter @sonyanews.

How can I sign up for a vaccine?

For full details on the COVID-19 vaccine in Orange County view our Voice of OC vaccine page that is constantly updated and has links of where to register for an appointment: http://bit.ly/occovidvaccine.

What is COVID-19? Do I have it?

INFORMATION View the CDC website. View OC's website. View the latest OC case counts.

TRANSLATIONS See the county's guides in non-English languages. Learn key Coronavirus facts in Vietnamese and Spanish via VietRise. See VietRISE guides in Spanish and Vietnamese.

PROTECTION To limit exposure, the CDC recommends: wash your hands often, avoid close contact with others, cover your mouth and nose with a cloth mask when around others, cover coughs and sneezes, clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

SYMPTOMS The CDC identifies these key symptoms that can occur any time between 2 and 14 days after exposure: Fever or chills, cough and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches,  headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting or diarrhea. If you suspect Coronavirus, CALL your primary medical provider.

EMERGENCY SYMPTOMS If you display any of the following emergency warning signs, seek immediate medical attention: difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to arouse, or bluish lips or face.

RISK The CDC identifies people most at risk for serious illness: Older adults, and people who have serious chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and lung disease.

What is open?

RESIDENTS The County of Orange offers a list of notices and news on what guidance is given for families and persons.

SCHOOLS The latest information for the county is available from the Orange County Board of Education.

STATE GUIDE TO WHAT IS OPEN A full list of statewide guidelines for what is open and what is closed.

SOCIAL DISTANCING Staying away from other people is called "social distancing." The aim is to SLOW the spread of Coronavirus so as to not overwhelm the nation's health care systems and so that people in need can get help. The Washington Post explains: "The spread (of COVID-19) can be slowed, public health professionals say, if people practice "social distancing" by avoiding public spaces and generally limiting their movement."

What support is available?

STRESS & ANXIETY Stress and anxiety can be triggered by the situation and resources are available to help from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America and from the American Psychology Association. Concern over this new virus can make children and families anxious, here are tips on talking with children about COVID-19.

MENTAL HEALTH The County of Orange offers a list of available mental health support services.

FIRST RESPONDERS The County of Orange offers these support services for first responders and health care workers.

BUSINESSES & ORGANIZATIONS The County of Orange offers a list of up-to-date guidelines for business and faith-based/community organizations.

FOOD ASSISTANCE Voice of OC offers a weekly list of available food pantries in Orange County. You can also apply for food benefits over the phone through the CalFresh program at 800-281-9799 or online.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION Buses and trains still offer service, but routes have been reduced so make sure to check your route ahead of time.

HOMELESSNESS The County of Orange offers a list of available shelter beds and other resources.

GENERAL FINANCIAL HELP Here are some services:

  •   • Find information on unemployment and disability benefits.
  •   • The Orange County Social Services Agency, despite closing its lobby, is processing online filings for assistance programs. This includes emergency cash assistance for immediate needs like rent or medical bills. The phone line has averaged a 30 minute wait time and offers a callback service, but people are encouraged to apply for benefits online.
  •   • Residents can apply for any of these programs by calling 800-281-9799.

RESTAURANT OWNERS & EMPLOYEES You can find a detailed list of resources available to restaurant owners and employees

How can I help?

VOLUNTEERING A statewide guide offers examples of ways to volunteer safely during Coronavirus. Options include, but are not limited to: donating plasma, making cloth face masks and supporting local food banks. Orange County's Second Harvest Food Bank lists support options online.

DONATIONS An Orange County Community Resilience Fund has been started through the OC Community Foundation to raise money for local nonprofits and volunteer organizations.

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