On July 13, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom ordered certain businesses to close indoor operations in all counties, as California slows down and in some areas reverses its efforts reopen the state. Indoor operations for the following businesses have been shut down statewide:
- Restaurants
- Wineries and tasting rooms
- Movie theaters
- Zoos and museums
- Family entertainment centers (bowling alleys, miniature golf, etc.)
- Bars and breweries (**both indoors and outdoors)
The following businesses have been shut down in counties that have remained on the state’s County Monitoring list for three consecutive days, which currently include Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside Counties:
- Fitness centers
- Worship services
- Protests
- Offices for non-essential sectors
- Barbershops, hair salons and nail salons
- Malls
For further information, please visit the Governor’s website here.
EMPLOYMENT LAW DEVELOPMENTS
In addition to renewed statewide and county-specific closures, there are have been several important legal developments in the past month affecting California employers:
- A Supreme Court decision on June 15 has interpreted federal law to prohibit discrimination based on an individual’s sexual orientation and/or transgender status. California already provided these protections, but if you have employees in other states, we recommend you review your policies to ensure you are in compliance.
On July 1, minimum wage increases for Los Angeles County went into effect and are now as follows:
- Businesses with 25 or fewer employees: $14.25 per hour
- Businesses with 26 or more employees: $15.00 per hour
- Beginning on July 1, the benefit period for California’s Paid Family Leave has been extended from six to eight weeks
