COVID spike causes closures and new orders

New restrictions and announcements in lieu of the recent surges in case numbers.

By Savannah Simmons, Managing Editor

The San Fernando Valley landmark, Casa Vega is open for to-go orders only, after new dining restrictions went into effect Monday following the Thanksgiving weekend in Los Angeles, Nov. 30, 2020. (Photo by Ava Rosate/ The Valley Star)

With the COVID-19 case surge, in-person dining came to a halt, travelers are now required to sign quarantine waivers upon arrival to the city and a new stay-at-home order is in place in Los Angeles County.

Los Angeles is now above the 5,000 five-day average of cases, according to County of Los Angeles Public Health, which called for an update to the Safer-at-Home orders. The new orders go into effect today, Nov. 30, but are not as strict as those issued in March. All public or private gatherings with individuals outside of one household are prohibited and is the biggest restriction on the order. Most businesses will be allowed to remain open with less capacity depending on what kind of business it is. The city-wide curfew remains in place from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. and will continue with the updated orders until at least Dec. 20.

"If this doesn't work and two to three weeks from now we find ourselves in a worse place than we are, we're going to have to go back and look at what else we have as options," said County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer.

Starting last Wednesday, travelers arriving at Los Angeles International Airport, Van Nuys Airport and Union Station will have to sign a waiver that acknowledges the 14-day self-quarantine recommendation. The form is to be filled out online at travel.lacity.org and “will take less than a minute” to fill out, according to Mayor Eric Garcetti. Those who do not submit the waiver may face up to a $500 fine.

“COVID-19 is more dangerous than ever — and from LAX to our businesses to our homes, we have to take action to protect Angelenos and stop the spread of this virus,” said Garcetti in a press release. “Our new form delivers a clear message: if you travel to our city, we want you to be informed of guidelines that will save lives and keep all of us healthy and safe.”

Last Wednesday was also the last call for in-person dining at restaurants, bars, breweries and wineries for the next three weeks at least. Takeout, drive thru and delivery are still allowed but all dining, even outdoor, have ceased.

In the words of Garcetti, “more Angelenos getting tested for COVID-19 helps keep our city safe.” Luckily, a new free walk-up site is available at the San Fernando Recreation Park. Those who do not have access to a car for the drive-thru testing or are unable to travel to the farther walk-up sites scattered other places in the city now can get tested at the local park.

This location, run by Curative, will provide up to 3,000 tests a day and will also have 500 flu shots available on site during their 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. hours of operation. No appointment is needed for this walk-up site.

“Testing remains an essential tool in stopping the spread of COVID-19, tracking the virus, and saving lives — and we will continue to deploy our vital testing resources where the data and science tell us they will do the most good,'' said Garcetti in a statement on his site. “Our new San Fernando Park site will deliver critical support to a community hit hard by this pandemic, and ensure Valley residents know their status and take the necessary steps to protect themselves and those around them.''

To schedule an appointment or find the other sites for a COVID-19 test, click here.