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Orange County Coronavirus

Orange County Bars Ordered to Shut Down Before Fourth of July Weekend

JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC

The closed patio at Hennessey's Tavern in Laguna Beach. Hennessey's recently closed its doors to the public due to a staff member testing positive for the coronavirus.

By Spencer Custodio Spencer Custodio | July 1, 2020
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Orange County bars have been shut down by county Interim Health Officer Dr. Clayton Chau ahead of the Fourth of July weekend because of spiking coronavirus hospitalizations and positivity rates. 

The order goes into effect at midnight Wednesday. 


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, make a tax-deductible donation today to support your local news.


“All bars, pubs, breweries, and brewpubs establishments located in Orange County that do not offer sit-down, dine-in meals shall close until further notice by the County Health Officer,” reads the Wednesday order. 

The order also notes the increasing cases. 

“… there remains a strong likelihood of a significant and increasing number of cases of community transmission; some individuals who contract the novel coronavirus have no symptoms or have only mild symptoms, and so are unaware that they carry the virus and are transmitting it to others,” reads Chau’s order. 

The county has seen a steady rise in hospitalizations and positive cases in the past couple weeks and by June 18 it was outpacing San Bernardino, San Diego and Riverside counties in hospitalization and death rates.  

“As we experience a rise in positive cases and hospitalizations, it is important that we take swift and prudent action so that we do not overload our healthcare system or jeopardize the progress we have made in reopening our economy,” said Supervisor Lisa Bartlett in a Wednesday news release. 

Residents had less than a month to hit the bar scene, during which time a raging debate emerged over a mask order from former health officer Dr. Nichole Quick. 

Quick resigned shortly after issuing her order over Memorial Day weekend because she received threats, including a death threat. 

Chau, the director of the OC Health Care Agency, took over as interim health officer and walked the order back June 11, three days after Quick’s abrupt resignation. 

State officials stepped in and closed Los Angeles County and Riverside County bars, also because of rising hospitalizations and case counts. 

At a Monday news conference, Gov. Gavin Newsom said he’s seen a disregard for health guidelines like physical distancing and masks at bars. 

“We’re seeing a lot of that and that’s a point of real concern,” Newsom said. “And bars were referenced by a number of people. Nobody’s naive, look at the images … some of the bars over the weekend — how can this help with community spread?” 

It’s unclear how OC officials will handle the closures, following a dispute between two members of the county Board of Supervisors and the Health Care Agency in early May. 

Nomad’s Canteen in San Clemente opened at the beginning of May, with sit down dining and bar service. News reports indicate virtually no one was wearing a mask at the establishment and there was a lack of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-recommended six-foot physical distance between people to help curb virus spread. 

Although Nomad’s was slated to be fined by the Health Care Agency for opening before approval from state health officials, Supervisors Michelle Steel and Don Wagner intervened and blocked the enforcement action. 

The bar became an early flashpoint for pushback against the state’s business shutdown orders. 

Various protests also popped up in April, demanding businesses fully reopen, less than a month after Newsom’s March 19 stay home orders.

The virus and the statewide measures to slow the spread landed a gut punch to the economy. 

Orange County saw over 250,000 jobs disappear, with a 14.5% unemployment rate as of May, according to the state employment department.

The jobless rate is 15.5% statewide. 

The OC Social Services Agency has also been hit hard because of the economic fallout. 

Director Debra Baetz previously told Voice of OC it’s worse than the Great Recession because the pandemic’s fallout saw an instant demand for food stamps and welfare programs, instead of a gradual build up during the recession. 

“The increase is more drastic with this pandemic. Everything shut down all at once and there was an upfront demand for needs,” Baetz said. “I think I see it as more of a dramatic increase in need due to the pace of the closures.”

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

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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