COACHELLA VALLEY — Bars in Cathedral City, Indio, La Quinta, and Palm Desert remain open — for now — as the Valley, state and nation work to flatten the curve of the coronavirus.

Palm Springs City Manager David H. Ready on Sunday ordered all bars, night club and breweries closed immediately on Sunday. The move drew immediate criticism from some establishment owners. Bars inside eating establishments were also ordered closed.

In Cathedral City, Communications Manager Chris Parman said, the city will follow any legal directive from the state and county with regards to bars.

“So far, the directives from the governor have been ‘guidances’ simply asking the bars to close in the interest of public health,” Parman said. “They have not been legal directives, meaning the governor orders the police to go and shut them down if they continue to operate.  It is the city’s perspective that bars, not selling food, should close their establishments because they are not deemed ‘essential’ as the governor has requested.  However, the city will not expend resources to close the bars until ordered by either the state or county.”

Indio City Manager Mark Scott has not made a determination to close the bars at this point, but is following directives and protocols as they are recommended and/or mandated by public health officials, according to Brooke Beare, director of Communications & Marketing.

La Quinta City Manager Jon McMillen told Uken Report the City Council will meet in Study Session today, Tuesday, March 17 to discuss its approach to the coronavirus.  The City Council could declare a local emergency as Palm Springs and Cathedral City did. As for closing bars, it is a possibility, McMillen said.

“From everything we’ve seen, everyone is adhering to the guidelines,” McMillen said. “It’s everyone’s responsibility to do the right thing.”

Palm Desert City Manager Lauri Aylaian said, “The City of Palm Desert is asking residents and businesses to follow the directives and recommendations of the Governor and the Riverside County Public Health Officer; they are the authorities in this area.  We are not asking businesses to take actions beyond those directions and recommendations.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image Sources

  • Bar: Image by David Mark from Pixabay