Supervisor Hahn Issues Statement On 3-2 Outdoor Dining Ban Vote

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn released a statement yesterday [Tuesday, Nov. 24] regarding the county's decision to move forward with a planned three-week ban on outdoor dining in the county, including Manhattan Beach, in response to a growing number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. Hahn coauthored a motion with Supervisor Kathryn Barger to allow outdoor dining to continue at 50% capacity. The motion failed with a 2-3 vote. Here it is.

"I don't support the decision to shut down outdoor dining right now. It would be one thing if we had a new stimulus from the Federal government so that we could help the restaurants and the people losing their paychecks—but we don’t. I don't think we have the data to prove that outdoor dining is driving the recent surge in cases, nor do we have the data to assure us that this action will turn our case numbers around. I am also very worried that it will drive more people to indoor gathering.

But I do not want to give people the idea that we are not facing a crisis that demands action. We need you to stop gathering with friends and family, especially indoors. Please cancel your plans: I know I did. This situation is serious. Our healthcare employees, our workers, and businesses are depending on us turning this around."