County Issues New Order Regarding Private Gatherings
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has issued an update to the Health Officer Order to align with State guidance on private gatherings.
On Friday, October 9, the State updated guidance to allow private gatherings of three or fewer households, as long as the private gathering is outdoors, everyone wears a cloth face covering and keeps at least six feet of physical distance, food is in single-serve disposable containers, and the duration of the gathering is two hours or less.
On Thursday, October 15, Los Angeles County updated the Health Officer Order to align with this change in the State guidance. The new order is posted on publichealth.lacounty.gov.
Private gatherings with people from different households increase the risk of COVID-19 transmission, with the risk increasing the longer the gathering. Public Health recommends if you do gather with two other households, that you do so with the same households each time, to create a quasi-bubble that can reduce the risk of spreading the virus. It is very important that you do not attend any private gathering if you are experiencing symptoms of illness, have tested positive for COVID-19, or if you have been exposed or likely have been exposed to someone positive.
A household does not include group living situations such as dormitories, fraternities, sororities, residential care facilities, or commercial group living arrangements such as boarding houses, hotels, or motels.