Skip to main content

MB News

Restaurant Dining Closure Goes Forward Despite Outcry

Nov 25, 2020 09:57AM ● By Jeanne Fratello

The outdoor dining deck at Fishbar in Manhattan Beach. Photo via Fishbar.

Despite an outcry from restaurateurs and community members across Manhattan Beach and Los Angeles County, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors voted on Tuesday to move forward with the three-week closure of in-person dining.

The supervisors' action effectively eliminated any chances of suspending the order, which has caused grief and anger among many who have experienced or foresee the gutting of their businesses as a result of pandemic shutdowns.

At Tuesday's meeting, L.A. County Supervisors Kathryn Barger and Janice Hahn had submitted a motion calling on the L.A. County Department of Public Health to reverse its decision to close restaurants for in-person dining. Barger and Hahn's motion would have maintained the current restrictions on restaurants, which allow restaurants to offer outdoor dining at 50% capacity. 

That motion failed, 2-3, with Hilda Solis, Mark Ridley-Thomas, and Sheila Kuehl voting no, and Barger and Hahn voting yes. 

The closure of in-person dining is set to take place starting on Wednesday night at 10:00 p.m.

Outcry on Behalf of Restaurants

An outcry on behalf of restaurants began as soon as the LADPH order to suspend in-person dining came down on Sunday.

On Monday, the California Restaurant Association sought an emergency order from a judge to stop the closures, on the grounds that LADPH failed to conduct the appropriate evaluation, study and review of the cost, effectiveness, and impact of the restaurant closure order.

On Tuesday morning, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge declined to issue an order to stop the closures, but left the door open for the restaurant association to come forward with additional evidence to support their case.

“While we are disappointed that the court did not enter an order today pumping the brakes on LA's outdoor dining closure, we are pleased that the court recognized our right to put the county to the test to prove that they have a scientific basis for the shutdown of outdoor dining
and we plan to move forward in requiring the county to offer that proof," said Jot Condie, president and CEO of the California Restaurant Association, in a statement.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday morning in Manhattan Beach, Mayor Richard Montgomery sent a letter to LADPH on behalf of the city urging public health officials to withdraw the order (see attached letter as .pdf).

"Over 59 businesses in Manhattan Beach and 209 in the South Bay have signed the 'Safe in the South Bay' commitment, pledging to adhere to and implement the latest safety guidelines and best practices to combat COVID-19, consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Los Angeles County Department of Public Health," wrote Montgomery in the letter.

"We understand the need to find the right path to reducing exposure and that difficult sacrifices must be made, but let's not put this on the backs of our restaurants, breweries, wineries, and bars that have gone to great lengths to show compliance and remain open," he wrote.

Additionally, the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce has spoken out against the in-person dining ban.

"The pre-Thanksgiving timing is very precarious for all restaurants that are already fully stocked with meal preparations; albeit take-out, cook-at-home kits, or outdoor dining reservations," Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Kelly Stroman told DigMB.  "The latest order by the Department of Public Health will further devastate local businesses, families, employees, and the mental health and well-being of so many. Some restaurants will close as it is not equitable to remain open under a take-out only model. Many restaurant employees will face unemployment again. Businesses have invested thousands, if not tens of thousands, of dollars to ensure safety for their employees and customers and to create safe friendly outdoor dining spaces.  To be singled out for the recent surge, they have done everything in their power to prevent, is unconscionable."

Even the Los Angeles Times, in a Tuesday editorial, questioned the decision to shut-down in-person dining. "If shutting down outdoor dining simply moves small gatherings from a restaurant patio that is following strict infection-control measures to a dining room in a private home that is not, it could actually increase spread," wrote the editorial board.

Several Manhattan Beach restaurants have since said that they would be closing down altogether during the three-week period.

COVID-19 Numbers Surge


Meanwhile, across L.A. County, COVID-19 numbers continue to surge. On Tuesday, LADPH confirmed 51 new deaths, the highest number of deaths reported since September 9, as well as  3,692 new cases of COVID-19.

Across L.A. County, there are 1,575 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized, with 26% of these people are in the ICU. Just two weeks ago, there were only 888 people with COVID-19 hospitalized.

Even Manhattan Beach, which has maintained a relatively low daily case count since the beginning of the pandemic, has seen a spike in cases. The cases jumped by 48 in the past two weeks, from a cumulative total of 449 on November 10 to 497 on November 24.

In comparison, just a month earlier - from October 10 to October 24 - cases had only increased by 28 over that two-week period.

Yet while it appears that another stay-at-home order might be coming down the pike, county officials have said that a new order would likely not be as restrictive as the original orders in March. For example, beaches, trails and parks would remain open, as would outdoor venues like golf courses, tennis courts, skate parks, and community gardens.



Subscribe to MB News Emails * Don't Miss a Thing, Sign Up Today!

* indicates required
Email Format

Subscribe to MB News Emails * Don't Miss a Thing, Sign Up Today!

* indicates required
Email Format