States crack down on bars as COVID-19 cases surge

Goverrs are cracking down on bars and or drinking establishments, blaming m for fueling spikes in coronavirus infections across U.S.

California, Arizona, Texas and Florida are among states ordering counties to shut down bars, reversing course on reopening ir ecomies.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told senators at a U.S. Senate hearing: "Bars, really t good, really t good. Congregation at a bar, inside, is b news. We really have got to stop that right w," he said.

"Just look at some of film clips that you've seen of people congregating often without masks, of being in crowds and jumping over and avoiding and t paying attention to guidelines that we very carefully put out, we are going to continue to be in a lot of trouble," Fauci said.

With about 40,000 new cases being reported a day, Fauci, government's top infectious disease expert, said he "would t be surprised if we go up to 100,000 a day if this does t turn around."

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday ordered bars that have opened in seven California counties, including Los Angeles, to immediately close and urged bars in eight or counties, including Contra Costa County, to do same. He said coronavirus was rapidly spreing in those parts of state and that bar settings create a higher risk of transmission.

Rotator Taproom in downtown Walnut Creek in Contra Costa County h been preparing to reopen for indoor service Wednesday, but local public health officials have put those plans on hold following Gov. Newsom's order.

"I want to do what's right. I want to help our business. But I don't want to cause any kind of, you kw, illness, disease in anyone else. So we keep everything outside. We have to right w. That's part of county order," said co-owner Marc Trapani.

Rotator Taproom has set up tables and umbrellas in parking lot outside and has instituted a number of cleaning and social distancing protocols to keep customers and employees staff, Trapani said.

He said he understands why goverrs and county health officials are cracking down on bars.

"A lot of places, it even happens around here where y're t hering to social distancing protocols. So and actually, y'll have people inside. y'll be shoulder to shoulder. y won't have masks on," Trapani said.

He's relieved that he's allowed to serve patrons outside, but worries that outdoor service could be shut down too, which would make his business unsustainable.

"If we were, let's say, only allowed to sell bottles and cans, re's way we can make revenue to cover, you kw, a rent or taxes or payroll," Trapani said.

With coronavirus cases surging, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Tuesday that he plans to "tighten things up" when it comes to state's stay-at-home order ahe of a busy Fourth of July weekend.

California has confirmed close to 223,000 infections, a nearly 50% increase over two weeks ago that has been driven in part by state's ability to w test more than 100,000 people per day. But more concerning to officials is stey growth in COVID-19 hospitalizations — a 43% increase in past two weeks.

state has been under a stay-at-home order since March 19, but Newsom has loosened restrictions in recent weeks to allow most businesses to open. Newsom said he would anunce changes to order Wednesday, hinting he would focus more on indoor restrictions where virus is more likely to spre.

===========================================================

Clients are reminded:

(i) to check terms of ir licence agreements for use of content outside news programming and that furr vice and assistance can be obtained from AP Archive on: Tel +44 (0) 20 7482 7482 Email: info@aparchive.com

(ii) y should check with applicable collecting society in ir Territory regarding clearance of any sound recording or performance included within AP Television News service

(iii) y have editorial responsibility for use of all and any content included within AP Television News service and for libel, privacy, compliance and third party rights applicable to ir Territory.