The Beverly Hills City Council approved a resolution opposing the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) Order that prohibits in-person dining. The unanimous vote took place at the Council’s Dec. 1 Regular Meeting. The Council’s resolution asks that a motion be placed on the Dec. 8 agenda of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to repeal the current Health Officer Order, citing a lack of data that supports a link between in-person dining (including outdoor dining) and the surge in COVID-19 cases. The resolution states that all future Public Health Orders should be based on scientific evidence related to a particular industry, sector, or area as opposed to being applied unilaterally to everyone in Los Angeles County. The Council also directed City staff to explore the possibility of creating a City Health Department in Beverly Hills, so as to not remain under the jurisdiction of Public Health. City Attorney Larry Weiner is also exploring legal action against the County–possibly in partnership with nearby municipalities–at the request of the Council. The Los Angeles City Council has also voted to try and repeal the ban, fearing a new round of restrictions will result in permanent restaurant closures. Other cities in the County, including Whittier and Downey, have also passed such resolutions.
The motion by the Beverly Hills City Council attracted extensive media attention. Local stations KABC, KCBS, KNBC, KTLA and KTTV ran segments about the Council’s actions in support of the business community, as did several local radio stations.
