Loosened restrictions, holiday weekend to test California

SAN DIEGO (AP) — George Cruz relaxed at an outdoor beach restaurant as a waitress wearing surgical gloves and a face covering rushed by, carrying a tray with a Pina Colada in a pineapple-shaped cup. An employee in a face covering stood nearby with cleaning supplies in his gloved hand, ready to sanitize any empty tables.

The odd mix of pumping music, cocktails and health precautions did not seem to deter anyone. Beach House Grill — known for its ocean views and fire pits — was already filling up on a sunny afternoon less than 24 hours after San Diego County was given permission by the state to allow dine-in restaurant service.

Cruz could only imagine the crowds over the holiday weekend.

“That's why we decided to come now," said the engineer who was dining with his wife and 6-year-old daughter. “There definitely will be a surplus of people at the beach," adding that they will be staying home. “I just hope everybody is smart about how they go out."

Millions of Californians are heading into the Memorial Day weekend with both excitement and anxiety after restrictions to control the spread of coronavirus were eased across much of the state. The coinciding factors are sure to test the nation's most populous state, which has just started seeing a decline in COVID-19 hospitalizations.

California was the first in the U.S. to issue such a statewide mandate, and it was among the last to loosen restrictions.

More than 40 counties are just starting to move beyond takeout service and curbside shopping in the most drastic scaling back of the stay-at-home orders since the governor issued them in mid-March.

Police, lifeguards and other officials were warning people to not forget about the seriousness of the virus as they enjoy their first weekend of newfound freedom.

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