Another round: California eyes reopening breweries, wineries

UPDATED, 10:11 a.m, March 15: California will allow breweries, wineries and distilleries to resume outdoor business as soon as Monday, with strict measures meant to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. The news comes as the state and Los Angeles County continue to loosen Covid restrictions.

Breweries, wineries and distilleries in counties with the highest Covid case numbers can serve alcohol for on-site consumption until 8 p.m., according to the Los Angeles Times. Patrons will be required to make reservations and are limited to 90 minutes at a given establishment.

Those businesses were shuttered during the onset of the pandemic then reopened in Los Angeles County in late September for outdoor business, before closing back following the Covid surge.

The new rules apply to businesses that do not serve food. Those that do serve food are subject to rules governing restaurants. Bars that do not serve food must remain closed completely until county numbers fall in accordance with state-prescribed tiers.

All but four counties statewide are in the purple or red tiers, which represent the highest-level of Covid restrictions. Those counties in the purple and red tiers — including L.A. and Orange counties — make up 99.9 percent of the state’s population.

Indoor dining statewide can begin in counties that move into the two least restrictive tiers, orange and yellow.

Earlier this week, the state relaxed its rules for reopening theme parks. Parks in many parts of the state can reopen at limited capacity as early as April 1, although some including Disneyland may take longer to prepare for operations.

[LAT] — Dennis Lynch