Los Angeles County officials and Mayor Eric Garcetti announced on May 26 that houses of worship are back open and people can resume in-person shopping at retail stores.
The county also is awaiting approval from the state to begin reopening restaurants and personal care businesses such as hair salons.
“We have earned this day,” Garcetti declared, although he acknowledged that businesses and houses of worship could be shut down again if people fail to comply with social distancing guidelines.
“I believe that we can do it right and we’ve earned the right way to do it,” the mayor added.
County Supervisor Kathryn Barger also said in a statement, “Regional data shows we have flattened the curve, indicating our readiness to move forward in phased recovery.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, announced earlier in the day that 47 of California’s 58 counties are at the point where personal care businesses could reopen; Los Angeles County is not one of those counties.
On May 22, President Donald Trump announced that houses of worship are essential services and that he would override any governors that sought to keep houses of worship closed. Some synagogues have been hesitant to reopen too soon.
There were 1,843 new COVID-19 cases in the county on May 26 — the highest daily increase in the county — and 27 new deaths, bringing the county totals to 47,822 and 2,143, respectively. According to the County Public Health Department, the spike in cases was because of a backlog in testing.
