California to Revoke Liquor Licenses at Restaurants That Defy Closure Orders | Eater LA

"Defying California’s statewide dining-room closure, I observed Nomads Canteen in San Clemente reopen last week to a throng of diners and imbibers at maximum capacity and later announced it would reopen again on May 7 in continued defiance. The restaurant has support from members of the Orange County Board of Supervisors, with county officials telling the Orange County Register that the county’s health agency would "promptly [rescind] all threats and will take no enforcement action against Nomads as long as it continues to comply with Orange County’s guidelines," even though the Orange County Health Care Agency issued a warning; Supervisor Don Wagner defended reopening by citing better hospital rates and urging residents it was time to "live their lives again." At the same time, California’s Alcohol Beverage Control has warned restaurants in other counties, asked businesses in Yuba and Sutter to close voluntarily, and threatened to suspend or revoke beer, wine, or liquor licenses for establishments that flout the statewide mandate—stressing that going against stay-at-home orders "endangers public health and safety" and noting that any suspended or revoked license would prevent a business from legally selling alcohol in California. The situation reflects a split among Orange County officials, with Supervisor Lisa Bartlett saying the board is not encouraging defiance but that businesses can prepare to reopen." - Matthew Kang