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Restaurants across California defy Governor Gavin Newsom's orders

Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP

FILE - In this Dec. 4, 2020, file photo, empty tables are seen outside of a restaurant set up for outdoor dining in Burbank, Calif. Five California legislative assembly members dined together outdoors Monday, Dec. 8, 2020, despite surging coronavirus case levels that have triggered stay at home orders for much of the state's population. State rules are silent as to how many households can dine together outdoors at restaurants, but health officials have implored people to limit outside gatherings to no more than three households.(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)

By: Anthony Wright, 23ABC

Posted at 10:38 AM, Jan 11, 2021

and last updated 2021-01-11 13:38:58-05

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KERO) — Restaurants across California are defying the governor and serving customers both inside and out.

According to Governor Gain Newsom's recent orders restaurants in counties below 15 percent ICU capacity are required to close down unless they can serve food to go.

Lawsuits across the state have been filed calling the governor's orders unconstitutional but businesses say they have no choice but to defy that order.

"We respect all the rules, all the ordinance. We are at the point where it's make or break for us. It's make or break for a lot of others," said one restaurant owner.

According to the state public health department, the only region that is above that 15 percent threshold is Northern California. The San Joaquin Valley Region which includes Kern County is at zero percent capacity.

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