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Derf Batshon, general manager at Baddeley’s Pourhouse, said he’s had to close the business three times.
“Enough is enough,” he said. “I have a whole staff that has left me wondering, ‘What are we going to do? ”
A group of people have gathered outside City Hall in Long Beach to call for businesses and schools to continue in-person services. @LongBeachPostpic.twitter.com/IJPhHYJEdL
The state recently transitioned to restrictions tied to intensive care unit capacity and divided the state into regions. The Southern California region which includes Los Angeles and Orange counties reported 5.3% ICU capacity on Saturday, which is well below the 15% capacity threshold the state put in place. Los Angeles County reported nearly 14,000 new cases Friday, pushing the county over the cumulative half-million mark. The county two weeks ago was averaging 4,200 new cases per day, but this week’s average has climbed to 10,200.
A few dozen protesters rallied outside Long Beach City Hall on Saturday, Dec. 12, in opposition to Californiaâs regional stay-at-home order issued last weekend in response to the worsening pandemic.
Demonstrators carried flags and posters that read âreopen our schoolsâ and âreopen our businesses.â The protest was organized by Long Beach resident Eric Christopher, who said he operates a few businesses around the region and believes that the restrictions are doing more harm than good.
Similar protests were planned around Southern California this weekend â including a march staged by California Coalition for Safe Reopening, which expected large throngs on Hollywood Boulevard â calling on leaders to allow struggling restaurants and other businesses to welcome back more customers.