Due to the rapid growth in COVID-9 cases and a substantial increase in hospitalizations and ICU admissions, Governor Newsom announced a new stay-at-home order that will affect San Bernardino and other southern California counties. The order is expected to take effect Saturday and remain in place for three weeks. In issuing the stay-at-home order, Newsom said the concern is that the state’s hospitals will become overwhelmed. The threshold for closures is if a region’s hospitals’ intensive care units are at 85 percent of capacity or more. Regions that are shut down will be required to close indoor and outdoor playgrounds; personal care services, such as hair and nail salons; museums, zoos, and family entertainment centers; bars and wineries; and hotels, motels, and overnight campgrounds. Restaurants will return to take-out services only, and retail stores will be limited to 20 percent of their capacity. Non-essential travel will be banned. Schools that have received a waiver may still remain open, as well as doctors’ and dentists’ offices.
