San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer on Monday followed the county’s lead and directed all bars and clubs to close until the end of the month effective at midnight on March 16.
The mayor also directed restaurants to close sit-in dining and offer take-out and delivery only.
San Diego Police Chief David Nisleit said his vice officers will be out Monday to educate bars and restaurants on the order. His main concern, he said, is education, not enforcement but if needs be, officers can use the vice ordinance to enforce the order.
“We’re all in this together,” Nisleit said. He said he understands there is a financial cost but public safety is more important.
Council President Georgette Gomez also announced that the City Council will hold an emergency meeting Tuesday to mandate a moratorium on residential evictions, business evictions as well as the city’s vehicle habitation ordinance.
Earlier on March 16, the County of San Diego banned public gatherings of 50 or more people as well as banning all bars, adult entertainment and any establishments that serve alcohol but no food to close as a way to stem the spread of coronavirus.
Restaurants are also ordered to close on-site dining and offer take-out only. Restaurants will need to establish a protocol for social distancing for pick-up orders.
Businesses have been ordered to offer to telecommute and establish a protocol for social distancing and not require a doctor’s note for sick leave. These orders go into effect at midnight.
The complete orders are: 1. All gathering of 50 people or more are prohibited. 2. All bars, adult entertainment, and other establishments that serve alcohol but not food shall close. 3. All restaurants are ordered to close on-site dining, offer take-out only and establish social distancing for order pick-ups. 4. All businesses should allow employees to telecommute, establish social distancing and suspend any policies that require a doctor’s note for sick leave. 5. All schools and school activities are closed. 6. A strong recommendation that people who are 65 and older, or immune-compromised or have a chronic underlying condition self-quarantine. 7. Non-essential personnel are banned from entering hospitals and long-term care facilities. Anyone showing symptoms of COVID-19 are also banned from entering hospitals and long-term care facilities. 8. Hospitals and healthcare providers are ordered to preserve resources and stop non-emergent and elective surgeries when possible. 9. All COVID-19 test results are to be reported to the county immediately. 10. Anyone arriving in the county from a CDC Level-3 warning countries, including just passing through on a layover, are subject to a 14-day home quarantine and self-monitoring. 11. A strong recommendation that anyone exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms to self-isolate at home unless seeking medical treatment.
Supervisor Nathan Fletcher said the public should be prepared for much more severe and drastic actions, if necessary. – From KPBS