Newsom orders bars to close in Kern, several other counties amid rising COVID cases

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — California Governor Gavin Newsom on Sunday ordered bars in Kern County to close due to the increased spread of COVID-19.

"Due to the rising spread of #COVID19, CA is ordering bars to close in Fresno, Imperial, Kern, Kings, Los Angeles, San Joaquin, and Tulare," the Governor said in a tweet.

Newsom also recommended bars close in Contra Costa, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Stanislaus, & Ventura counties.

Bars were initially allowed to open in mid-June, as the state moved further into phase 3 of reopening.