As you have probably heard, Governor Newsom today lifted the statewide stay-at-home order followed by an announcement from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors that they will follow the State’s guidance and allow outdoor dining starting Friday, January 29. The Independent Hospitality Coalition wants to help you understand what this means for you and your restaurant.
In short, this means that outdoor dining in LA will reopen by the end of this week; however, it is unclear what reopening guidelines the County will ask restaurants to follow.
With the Stay-at-Home order lifted, LA County is still in Tier 1 (the “purple tier”) of California’s COVID-19 risk levels. Tier 1 allows for the following:
- Restaurants – Outdoor Only (with modifications)
- Wineries – Outdoor Only (with modifications)
- Bars, Breweries and Distilleries (where no food is provided) – closed
By now, we are all too familiar with the LA County Board of Supervisors’ releasing last-minute guidelines that leave restaurants jumping through hoops to be able to reopen as soon as possible. The IHC must be involved in the County’s determination of reopening guidelines. We understand the needs of our industry while also understanding the need for a continuation of safety regulations.
When outdoor dining was allowed, the County implemented arbitrary guidelines such as 9:00 p.m. curfews and minimizing outdoor dining by 50% even though tables were already set at 6 feet apart. Neither of these guidelines were based in science in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
We need the Board of Supervisors to meet with us and allow us to help shape new, safer guidelines for outdoor dining that won’t negatively affect our struggling restaurants.
Please contact your Board of Supervisor to urge them to include the IHC as a partner in the reopening guidelines process. We need them to hear the voice of our industry. Contact your supervisor and let them know today!
IHC will continue to provide our members with updates and as much information as is available. We will also continue our efforts to advocate for LA County independent restaurants with the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
Please email us at info@independenthospitality.org if you have any questions. Thank you.
CONTACT LA COUNTY SUPERVISORS
Please contact your Board of Supervisor to urge them to include the IHC as a partner in the reopening guidelines process. We need them to hear the voice of our industry.
Sheila Kuehl
Supervisor, Third District
Call: 213-974-3333
Email: sheila@bos.lacounty.gov
Instagram: @SheilaKuehl
Twitter: @SheilaKuehl
Hilda L. Solis
Supervisor, First District
Call: 213-974-4111
Email: firstdistrict@bos.lacounty.gov
Instagram: @HildaSolis
Twitter: @HildaSolis
Kathryn Barger
Supervisor, Fifth District
Call: 213-974-5555
Email: kathryn@bos.lacounty.gov
Instagram: @SupervisorKathrynBarger
Twitter: @KathrynBarger
Janice Hahn
Supervisor, Fourth District
Call: 213-974-4444
Email: fourthdistrict@bos.lacounty.gov
Instagram: @SupJaniceHahn
Twitter: @SupJaniceHahn
Holly J. Mitchell
Supervisor, Second District
Call: 213-974-2222
Email: hollyjmitchell@bos.lacounty.gov
Instagram: @HollyJMitchell
Twitter: @HollyJMitchell
BECOME A MEMBER
Independent restaurants and bars are the heartbeat of Los Angeles. Even though we are one of the largest industries, the independent hospitality community has never had a unified voice.
While the IHC was formed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, our mission is to be a permanent impactful coalition that advocates for the Los Angeles area hospitality industry with information, resources and legislative action.
While donations are encouraged, membership is currently free. Donations will be put towards funding necessary support staff for meaningful advocacy and member benefits.
Our voices are stronger, together.
We invite you to join us today.
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SEND A MESSAGE
Need help or have an update for your hospitality community? We want to hear from you!
As we work hard to re-open, we want to ensure that as responsible hospitality business operators, we are able to keep the public safe and ensure our businesses stay open.
We’ve gathered some resources for you, including ready-to-print signage, sample guest guidelines, PPE options and more. Click below to get started.
PARTNER ASSOCIATIONS + COALITIONS
