:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68451444/shutterstock_1680587521.0.jpg)
Regions around the state are poised to enter a new stay-at-home order mandated by Gov. Gavin Newsom. With COVID-19 cases rising in many California counties, including San Diego, and the inevitable surge from Thanksgiving yet to take effect, the temporary shutdown is linked to intensive care unit (ICU) capacity: areas with less than 15 percent ICU capacity will go into a three-week stay-at-home order. Regions will be assessed on a weekly basis and the order lifted when ICU capacity meets or exceeds 15 percent.
The order dictates the closure of bars and wineries as well as personal services and hair salons. On-site dining must be paused, but restaurants can still offer takeout and delivery, and retail can function at 20 percent capacity. Non-essential travel is also restricted.
Newsom, who acknowledged the stress that restaurants have been under, said this action had to be taken before our hospital systems are overwhelmed.
Five regions throughout the state — including Southern California, Northern California, and the Bay Area — are projected to go into stay-at-home mode any day now.
Update: December 7, 2020, 10:19 a.m. PST: At a press conference on Saturday, December 5, San Diego County officials announced that Southern California, and thus San Diego, is now under the regional stay-at-home order and restrictions will go into effect starting at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, December 6.
