Despite a last second effort by the California Restaurant’s Association, Los Angeles County has enacted a public order that prohibits in-person dining at restaurants for at least three weeks.
Last week, the County established thresholds for additional actions if the five-day average of cases is 4,000 or more or hospitalizations are more than 1,750 per day, to restrict in-person dining at restaurants, breweries, wineries and bars.
That number was reached on Sunday, as the five day average reached 4,097 cases despite the daily number of cases that day sitting at just 2,718.
This order is the latest in a series of steps taken in recent weeks by the county to contain a sudden explosion of the virus.
A ‘limited stay-at-home’ order set a curfew for all non essential travel in the city at 10 p.m., lasting until 5 a.m. the next morning.
If the five-day average of cases is 4,500 or more or hospitalizations are more than 2,000 per day, a Targeted Safer at Home Order will be issued for three weeks.
The order would impose restrictions similar to the original lockdown earlier this year, while allowing essential and emergency workers and those securing essential services to leave their homes.
On Tuesday morning, the California Restaurant’s Association attempted to get an emergency passed to prevent this shutdown, citing the lack of scientific evidence behind the closing of restaurants, as well as the devastating economic fallout that it will have.
“There are thousands of restaurants and many thousands more employees who could be out on the street right before the holiday season,” said Jot Condie, president and CEO of the California Restaurant Association., in a statement.
Local efforts have been made to help bring awareness to the plight of restaurants in this time in the form of the #chooseculvercity campaign.
The campaign has been put together by city staff in a continued effort to support businesses during the pandemic. In particular, it emphasizes the importance of shopping at local businesses as a way to keep the unique character in the city alive.
“Culver City prides itself on its authentic ‘small town’ feel with restaurants, services and specialty retailers,” the campaign explains on its webpage. “As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our small businesses, it is important to think local first and #ChooseCulverCity when shopping, dining, or requiring services. Buying local maintains our community character, supports our local economy and continues to ensure quality of life that makes Culver City an exceptional place to live, work and enjoy.”
The campaign also tries to alleviate fears of what feels like a “new normal,” and reiterates the safety measures taken by these businesses.
“Local business owners care about Culver City and their customers…Not comfortable going into a store or dining in? No problem! Many of [Culver City’s] businesses offer online shopping, shipping, home delivery and curbside pickup! Just ask!”
The campaign is reaching out to Culver City residents for help in spreading the word about the importance of buying from local businesses during this time.
The city has made window posters, lawn signs, and other materials available online, and are handing out materials to those who want to serve as “buy local ambassadors.”
For more information on how you can become a buy local ambassador, contact Elaine Warner at elaine.warner@culvercity.org.
Additionally, as the title suggests, the city is leaning heavily on social media for this campaign to spread the word.
One of the most cost effective, and far reaching ways to help boost this program, is through social media. The City will be launching its own campaign, but we need our business community to boost its reach by posting images, videos, stories of why and how buying locally helps your businesses.
For more information, visit the #chooseculvercity official website at culvercity.org (City Hall > City Government > City Departments > Community Development).
