Another COVID-19 surge is here, with levels not seen since July. Los Angeles County announced tightened restrictions Tuesday, requiring restaurants, wineries, breweries and non-essential retail businesses to close at 10 p.m., while also limiting their capacity.

While short of a full-on lockdown, county officials warned that if case numbers and hospitalizations continue increasing, sweeping “Safer At Home” restrictions will return and a countywide 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew will be imposed.

For now, restrictions are set to take effect Friday.

• Indoor “non-essential” businesses such as retail stores, offices and personal care services will be limited to 25 percent occupancy.
• Outdoor service at restaurants, wineries and breweries will be limited to 50% of the maximum outdoor capacity.
• Outdoor cardrooms, miniature golf sites, go-kart tracks and batting cages will be limited to 50 percent of maximum outdoor capacity.
• Customers at personal-care businesses must make advance appointments, and no services that require customers to remove their face masks can be offered.
• Restaurants, wineries, breweries and non-essential retail businesses must be closed between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
• Outdoor gatherings must be limited to no more than 15 people from a maximum of three households.

The COURIER will have a complete update in our Friday editions.