Newsom (finally) lifts California stay-at-home order, outdoor dining ban

It only took a recall petition with 1.2 million signatures to get Newsom to reopen the state of California. 

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Monday the end to the Golden State’s stay-at-home order and outdoor dining ban, which have both been in effect since December. 

The California Department of Public Health said in a press release that the stay-at-home order had been entirely lifted, and that outdoor dining “may resume immediately.” 

“Californians heard the urgent message to stay home as much as possible and accepted that challenge to slow the surge and save lives,” Dr. Tomás Aragón, CDPH director and state public health officer, said in a statement. 

“Together, we changed our activities knowing our short-term sacrifices would lead to longer-term gains,” he added. 

On Sunday evening, the California Restaurant Association said sources told them that Newsom would soon lift the orders in a letter to its members, according to KABC-TV. 

“Senior officials in the Newsom administration informed us that the Governor will announce tomorrow that the stay-at-home order will be lifted in all regions of the state,” the CRA said in the letter. 

This comes after the governor faced litigation over the dining restrictions. Restaurant owners have argued that outdoor dining does not have any direct correlation to the spike in California’s coronavirus cases, Politico reports. 

Newsom originally ordered Californians in five regions – North California, Bay Area, Greater Sacramento, San Joaquin Valley and Southern California – to stay at home “as much as possible” on December 3, according to the Daily Caller. 

“We are at a tipping point in our fight against the virus and we need to take decisive action now to prevent California’s hospital system from being overwhelmed in the coming weeks,” Newsom said in a December statement. 

The announcement will enable salons and barbershops to resume outdoor appointments as well. 

However, county health officials could still try to impose their own restrictions, as the governor has allowed local leaders to take the reins in their own counties. 

On Sunday, California reported 21,680 new coronavirus cases and 300 deaths, according to data compiled by the New York Times. Thus, 54 of the state’s 58 counties remain in California’s most restrictive tier status. 

This announcement comes amidst an overwhelming call to oust Gov. Newsom for his egregious coronavirus response. Recall organizers say they have collected 1.2 million petition signatures, inching closer to the 1.5 million needed to place the recall on a ballot. 

And they still have until mid-March to reach the threshold. 

Newsom’s missteps have fired up republicans who signaled they are likely candidates, including former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer and Newsom’s 2018 rival, businessman John Cox, KUSI reports.