Santa Barbara County issued a Health Officer Order Monday mandating the closure of local bars per recommendation from the California Department of Public Health.
The order goes into effect at 8 a.m. on July 1. It will continue until 5 p.m. on July 26 or until it is extended or rescinded.
The following guidelines must be followed:
- Brewpubs, breweries, bars and pubs should close unless they are offering sit-down, dine-in meals. Alcohol may only be sold in the same transaction as a meal.
- Dine-in restaurants, brewpubs, breweries, bars and pubs that provide sit-down meals should follow the dine-in restaurant guidance and should continue to encourage takeout and delivery service whenever possible.
- Brewpubs, breweries, bars and pubs that do not provide sit-down meals but wish to operate under this Order must obtain an Emergency Food Permit.
Wineries and tasting rooms may remain open.
The order was put into effect due to findings that suggest physical movement of people within bars, the duration of time spent within the establishment and the degree of social mixing within individuals and groups are all greater in these settings.
