#LA County announces business curfew to curb COVID-19 case rise

Los Angeles County officials on Tuesday announced strict new coronavirus restrictions — including a 10 p.m. curfew on businesses — in an effort to combat spiking coronavirus cases.

Beginning on Friday, restaurants, bars and non-essential retail businesses will be required to close between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl told local outlet KNBC-TV.

Gatherings will also be limited to no more than 15 people from a maximum of three households, county officials said.

Other measures will include a 50 percent capacity limit for outdoor dining service and a 25 percent capacity limit for businesses allowed to operate indoors, including retail stores, offices and personal care services.

Cases of COVID-19 have been soaring in LA County since the beginning of this month, with a five-day average of 2,884 infections and 1,126 hospitalizations as of Tuesday.

The county’s seven-day average daily rate of positive virus tests was 5.3 percent on Monday, up from 3.8 percent just a week ago.

“Los Angeles County is at a critical moment to save lives and curb the spread of COVID-19,” Public health director Barbara Ferrer said in a statement.

“I urge our residents, businesses and community leaders to heed this warning and follow these heightened safeguards so that additional restrictions do not need to be imposed.”