Good morning, L.A.
As expected, the capacity of Southern California’s ICUs dropped low enough over the weekend to trigger a stay-at-home order from the state, which overrides the existing stay-at-home orders from the city and county. (Don’t worry, folks, we’re in good hands!)
The order, which took effect at 11:59 p.m. last night, will remain in effect for at least three weeks – until Dec. 28 so, yes, through Christmas – but could be extended if case numbers don’t improve. My colleague Josie Huang reports that nail salons, hair salons, zoos, playgrounds, museums and more must close. Retail stores and malls can stay open, but only to 20% capacity. Restaurants can stay open for to-go services only.
The state’s restrictions were set to take effect if ICU capacity dropped to 15%. On Saturday, capacity in the region was at 12.5%. Sunday it dropped again, to 10.3%.
The San Joaquin Valley will also be subject to the state’s lockdown orders, after its ICU capacity dropped to 8.6%. California is broken up into five regions; the other three have not yet triggered the state’s order.
Some of the counties affected by the Southern California order, in addition to L.A., include Orange, Riverside, Ventura, San Bernardino and San Diego.
Keep reading for more on what’s happening in L.A. today, and stay safe out there.
Coming Up Today, December 7
Frank Stoltze reports on newly-elected L.A. District Attorney George Gascon’s swearing in, including his campaign promises and expected announcement of new initiatives.
After keeping restaurants open for outdoor dining following LA County's order, Pasadena must now shut down its eateries because of the state's order that went into effect last night. Josie Huang has the story.
In Riverside County, records for new coronavirus cases were set every day last week. Officials are bracing for more this week, reports Julia Paskin.
Sip holiday cocktails at home, explore L.A. architecture in miniature, watch the Troubies take on the holidays, and more. Christine N. Ziemba has this week’s best online and IRL events.
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The Past 24 Hours In LA
Coronavirus Updates: The city’s “Keep L.A. Dining” program, which offered grants to restaurants affected by COVID-19, will relaunch its website after it crashed within the first two hours of going live. L.A. County’s Department of Public Health confirmed a record-shattering 10,528 new cases of the coronavirus yesterday, and 23 new deaths attributed to the disease.
L.A. Politics: Los Angeles City Councilmember Kevin de León has laid out a plan to turn the remaining vacant Caltrans-owned homes in El Sereno into affordable housing. LAPD officers used batons against protesters outside Mayor Garcetti’s residence Sunday morning, and made one arrest.
Biden’s White House: Xavier Becerra, California’s attorney general, will be nominated for secretary of health and human services by President-elect Joe Biden.
Photo of the Day
Vehicles carry the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe during the Archdiocese of Los Angeles' 89th Our Lady of Guadalupe procession at the San Gabriel Mission. The walking procession, which normally attracts 40,000 people, featured a small car caravan instead this year.
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