In a jarring reversal, Governor Gavin Newsom today announced a fresh wave of statewide pandemic shutdowns. The move is in response to rapidly accumulating COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations throughout California.
Indoor businesses were shut down, including restaurants (which are still permitted to offer takeout and outdoor dining), bars, breweries, wineries, tasting rooms, zoos, family entertainment centers, card rooms, museums, and movie theaters.Â
For Santa Clara County, which went to great pains to reopen a great many businesses today, July 13, this move will see the closure of fitness centers, halls of worship, and non-essential infrastructure centers. Malls shall also be closed. Salons, barbershops, and other personal care services, though their owners were eager to finally open in anticipation of today, will be unable to operate. Additionally, and critically to the nation’s heated political climate, indoor protests will be restricted throughout California, as well.Â
Because Santa Clara County was just re-added to the State’s monitoring list yesterday, July 12, the County must ensure that the above-cited closures are made as of 12:01 a.m. on this coming Wednesday, July 15. The monitoring list is a watch list of counties where COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are on the rise. Some confusion resulted following Newsom’s announcement today as to whether or not Santa Clara was on the list, but County officials were fast to confirm it is, and to provide the following chart for residents’ and business owners’ reference:
