Ventura County, LA’s Northern Neighbor, Says It’s Ready to Open Restaurant Dining Rooms

On Tuesday, Ventura County Board of Supervisors unanimously agreed that it’s ready to reopen restaurant dining rooms and increase access to other businesses. If Ventura receives state approval, the county just north of Los Angeles will be allowed to lift social restrictions at an accelerated pace, reports CBS-2. Sit-down dining is an activity Southern California restaurants haven’t been able to do since mid-March.

Public health officer Dr. Robert Levin stated that Ventura County will allow dining inside restaurants, resume shopping inside retail stores, and open outdoor museums, as well as public spaces and beach parking lots.

Ventura’s actions come as Gov. Gavin Newsom stated Monday that 53 out of 58 California counties could qualify soon for the state’s second reopening phase. Phase two is the state’s plan to relax stricter local orders meant to curb the spread of coronavirus. This phase includes reintroducing sit-in dining spaces and easier curbside pickups, but with limited physical interactions, according to ABC-7. Newsom also outlined specific restaurant reopening guidelines on May 12 that cover safety protocols and reduced seating capacity.

Ventura County will send a plan to the governor’s office for approval. Counties throughout California are racing towards reopening approval after months of lockdown. Napa Valley received reopening approval from the state on Tuesday. In Los Angeles, the likelihood of reopening dining rooms soon is less optimistic, although Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger stated the LA-area could reopen as soon as July 4.

• Here Are California’s Guidelines for Reopening Restaurant Dining Rooms [ELA]
• Napa County Restaurants Can Reopen Their Dining Rooms [ELA]