As predicted, a regional stay-at-home order in effect across Southern California due to surging COVID-19 hospitalizations was formally extended today, California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly announced Tuesday.
The stay-at-home order remains in place for at least three weeks and will continue restriction on all gatherings of people from different households, in-person dining and strict capacity limits at many businesses.
Ghaly said four-week projections show demand exceeding ICU capacity, which means the stay-at-home order will remain in effect. The order will be lifted when "ICU projections are above or equal to 15%."
The state's regional order covers an 11-county Southern California area.
The Southern California region covers Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Diego, Imperial, Inyo, Mono, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. Most broadly, the order bars gatherings of people from different households.
Under the order, the following businesses/recreational facilities were forced to close:
-- indoor recreational facilities;
-- hair salons and barbershops;
-- personal care services;
-- museums, zoos, and aquariums;
-- movie theaters;
-- wineries;
-- bars, breweries and distilleries;
-- family entertainment centers;
-- cardrooms and satellite wagering;
-- limited services;
-- live audience sports; and
-- amusement parks.
Schools with waivers can remain open, along with "critical infrastructure" and retail stores, which will be limited to 20% of capacity. Restaurants are restricted to takeout and delivery service only. Hotels are allowed to open "for critical infrastructure support only," while churches would be restricted to outdoor only services. Entertainment production -- including professional sports -- would be allowed to continue without live audiences.
The Greater Sacramento and the Bay Area regions are eligible to exit the order as soon as Jan. 1 and Jan. 8, but only if ICU capacity improves. Their orders could also be extended if ICU capacity is below 15%.
Northern California is the only region not under a stay-at-home order.
City News Service contributed to this story.