Governor Gavin Newsom announced the news on Thursday.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a Safer at Home order on Thursday that will remain in effect through the Thanksgiving holiday and end at 5 a.m. on Dec. 21, according to the announcement on Thursday.
Non-essential businesses and personal gatherings are prohibited between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. beginning Saturday, November 21 at 10 p.m.
“The virus is spreading at a pace we haven’t seen since the start of this pandemic and the next several days and weeks will be critical to stop the surge. We are sounding the alarm,” said Newsom in the announcement. “It is crucial that we act to decrease transmission and slow hospitalizations before the death count surges. We’ve done it before and we must do it again.”
The decision comes amid rising COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, with over 5,000 infections recorded on Thursday and almost 4,000 the day before. Currently, there are 348, 336 total cases reported in L.A. County and 1,188 patients hospitalized, according to public health data.
“I know we continue asking you to do more –– to remain vigilant and be patient,” said LA County mayor Eric Garcetti earlier this week, when restaurants, wineries and breweries were limited to 50 percent capacity. “I know it’s been a long year, and we’re all exhausted right now. But looking back, it’s clear that our early actions saved lives. Angelenos rose to the challenge.”
This marks the second stay at home mandate implemented involving L.A. County, following the order issued by Garcetti in March, that was extended through mid-May as cases continued to rise.
According to L.A. County metrics, there is widespread community spread of COVID-19 and a 5.2 percent positivity rate. Health workers continue to emphasize that people isolate for 14 days after receiving a positive diagnosis, reconsider travel plans over the upcoming holidays and limit interactions to ones own household to slow the spread.
Testing remains readily available at numerous locations throughout LA County, including at Dodger Stadium, which has the ability to test 13,000 people per day. In preparation of flu season, residents are also advised to get their flu shot, which can be administered at most local pharmacies.