Restaurant Dining Canceled, Bars Close In OC: Coronavirus

MISSION VIEJO, CA — Orange County's chief health officer issued an order Tuesday to ban dining inside area restaurants during the outbreak of coronavirus.

As of this report, bars that do not serve food were ordered closed, per Quick's recommendation. Restaurants across the county are open to pickup and delivery.

Small businesses are continuing to pivod, such as Seal Beach's Bogart's Coffee. The shop allowed limited in-house coffee Monday morning, but has now joined suit with the recommendation, according to owner JoAnn Adams.

"We are still open and always offering coffee to go," Adams told Patch. "We've placed extra precautions in place, including extra cleaning and sanitizing." She is also keeping an eye on workers, saying that employees who exhibit symptoms will be told to remain at home, Adams said.

At Harley Laguna Beach, owner Greg Daniels decided to close his doors for the time being, starting Tuesday. Though he had every intention of keeping our restaurant open and operating for guests, byy Tuesday, he determined to close for the time being.

Dr. Nichole Quick unveiled the plan during an emergency meeting of the county Board of Supervisors to discuss the coronavirus, known as COVID-19.

Supervisor Andrew Do urged Quick to issue the mandate by noon, while Supervisor Don Wagner questioned whether it would stoke more panic among residents who, like many Americans, have been engaging in "panic buying" at grocery stores over the past couple of weeks.

Similar restaurant and bar closure orders have already been issued in Los Angeles, Riverside and San Diego counties.

Orange County CEO Frank Kim said his office is working with officials in the grocery industry to issue a public statement assuring residents there is no issue with the supply of food and no one should feel like they need to stock up on food.

Quick has the legal authority to issue the orders regulating restaurant and bar operations, and the mandate could be enforced by a fine or even criminal prosecution.

Supervisor Lisa Bartlett noted that some bars and restaurants were still holding St. Patrick's Day festivities on Tuesday.

In Seal Beach, St. Patrick's Day is typically a huge draw, but the many Irish restaurants and bars were shut down to all but to-go orders, on Monday.

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Wagner questioned whether a closure of restaurants for dine-in business would lead some residents to panic that grocery stores will be closed next.

Do responded that casual contact in stores is less risky than longer contact in enclosed spaces such as restaurants.

"What we do know is how it is transmitted—it's person to person, so there's an effort to reduce person-to-person contact as much as possible," Orange County Health Care Agency Director Richard Sanchez said. "But we still need utilities and water... I hear what you're saying, but I do believe the effort you're seeing at federal and state level goes to that exact concept."

Later in the day, the Emergency Operations Center spokesperson Molly Nichelson reminded residents that the order from County Health Officer Dr. Nichole Quick is not an order to shelter in place.

"It is not a lockdown," Nichelson said. "It is important for all Orange County businesses to remain open while practicing social distancing consistent with the Governor’s guidance."

Pickup, delivery and drive thru services may remain open, and residents are encouraged to continue patronizing those establishments.

Read also:

• OC Residents Adapt To Life In The Time of Coronavirus
• Volunteer Shortage Amid Huge Need At Family Assistance Ministries
• Seal Beach St. Patrick's Day Shut Down, Bars Closed This Week
• 22 Cases Of Coronavirus In Orange County, Week 1 Of Shutdown
• Coronavirus Changes Life In OC From Hoarding To Helping