#Gov. Newsom orders LA bars to immediately close amid coronavirus surge

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday ordered bars in Los Angeles immediately closed — a little more than a week after they were allowed to reopen — amid a surge in local coronavirus cases.

Los Angeles was one of seven counties to have its establishments shut down by state health officials — who urged another eight counties to also follow suit.

“COVID-19 is still circulating in California, and in some parts of the state, growing stronger,” Newsom said in a statement, according to the LA Times.

“That’s why it is critical we take this step to limit the spread of the virus in the counties that are seeing the biggest increases.”

In LA’s case, the move reverses the county’s reopening of its local bars, nail salons and other businesses June 19.

The county reported 2,169 new virus cases Saturday, the Times said. A total of 95,385 cases have been reported in LA so far, with 3,285 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins researchers.

Also affected by California’s shutdown order were the counties of Fresno, Imperial, Kings, Kern, San Joaquin and Tulare.

The eight other counties where local health officials were urged by the state to shut down their bars, too, were Contra Costa, Riverside, Sacramento, Santa Barbara, San Bernardino, Santa Clara, Stanislaus and Ventura.

“We are actively monitoring COVID-19 across the state and working closely with counties where there are increased rates and concerning patterns of transmission,” said Newsom’s public-health director, Sonia Angell, in a statement.

“Closing bars in these counties is one of a number of targeted actions counties are implementing across our state to slow the virus’ spread and reduce risk.”