Manhattan Beach closes outside public seating areas

After Los Angeles County ordered eating places to droop outside eating in December due to a surge in coronavirus instances, town of Manhattan Beach turned its outside eating areas into public seating the place individuals may probably eat throughout the holidays.

But on Sunday evening, metropolis officers introduced that they might shut the general public seating areas following a file variety of coronavirus instances within the coastal city.

Manhattan Beach City Manager Bruce Moe stated in a written assertion that town has seen instances almost double to 821 from 421 on Nov. 1. The each day depend of recent instances on Sunday was 26, a file for town.

Restaurants stay open for takeout and supply solely, per the county order.

“We must continue to respond to the ever-changing dynamics of this pandemic. We are asking residents to stay home if possible and mainly go out for work and essentials or to exercise outdoors,” stated Mayor Suzanne Hadley in Sunday’s assertion. “This recent spike in the virus is significant, despite the good news last month of our Manhattan Beach firefighters receiving some of the first COVID-19 vaccinations.”

Manhattan Beach officers are additionally involved concerning the new, probably extra contagious coronavirus pressure that has arrived in California. The most up-to-date case was detected in Big Bear, bringing the entire quantity statewide to at the least six. While the brand new pressure is extra transmissable, consultants say there’s no proof that it’s deadlier, causes extra extreme sickness or renders present vaccines ineffective.

“With a new mutant strain of COVID now present in California, which is reportedly more easily spread than the original virus, we must continue to strive to reduce virus transmission,” Manhattan Beach officers stated of their assertion.

Manhattan Beach’s transfer to show outside eating areas into public seating got here after the county’s order prohibiting outside eating at eating places, breweries and wineries. The order was applied as a result of November surge in coronavirus instances.

In order to make use of the general public seating areas, individuals have been required to put on face coverings, apply social distancing and chorus from gathering with these from outdoors their family. Alcohol consumption was prohibited.