The City of Ventura's Economic Development Division is committed to providing local businesses with timely information and resources to help our community navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic. Stay connected at the City's  Economic Development webpage .

BARS AND SIMILAR ESTABLISHMENTS THAT SERVE FOOD CAN REMAIN OPEN IN VENTURA COUNTY

The County of Ventura Public Health Department announced yesterday that brewpubs, breweries, bars, pubs, wineries and distilleries that serve food can remain open in compliance with the State’s guidance released this weekend. View the press release HERE.

The department has issued new guidelines effective July 1, 2020, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. When dining at restaurants, brewpubs, breweries, bars, pubs, wineries and distilleries:
  • Dine-in must close by 10 pm.
  • Dining time must be limited to one hour and a half.
  • Live music is not permitted.
  • Customers may only sit with members of their household.

Existing guidelines must continue to be followed:
  • Dine-in restaurants, brewpubs, breweries, bars, wineries, distilleries and pubs that provide sit-down meals must follow the state guidance and should continue to encourage takeout and delivery service whenever possible.
  • Brewpubs, breweries, bars, wineries, distilleries and pubs that do not provide sit-down meals themselves, but can contract with another vendor to do so, can serve dine-in meals provided both businesses follow state guidance and alcohol is only sold in the same transaction as a meal.
  • Venues that are currently authorized to provide off sale beer, wine, and spirits to be consumed off premises and do not offer sit-down, dine-in meals should follow the guidance for retail operations.
  • Producers of beer, wine, and spirits should follow the guidance for manufacturing operations.
  • This guidance is not intended for concert, performance, or entertainment venues. Those types of establishments should remain closed until they are allowed to resume modified or full operation through a specific reopening order or guidance. Establishments that serve full meals must discontinue this type of entertainment until these types of activities are allowed to resume modified or full operation.

The bars that would have been subject to the State recommended closures were never reopened in Ventura County due to concerns about social distancing implementation.

REMINDER: WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO BEFORE REOPENING  

NEW SIGNAGE FOR YOUR BUSINESS
  • Download the social distancing poster in English and Spanish HERE.

Begin by reviewing the guidance published by the State of California at: https://covid19.ca.gov/industry-guidance/

  • Upon reviewing the guidance, complete a detailed risk assessment of your business in accordance with the state guidelines. 
  • Complete a written worksite-specific COVID-19 Prevention Plan and post it at your business. 
  • Implement the prevention measures identified in your worksite-specific COVID-19 Prevention Plan. 
  • Designate an on-duty employee responsible for monitoring compliance with your plan. 
  • Complete the attestation form at:
  • www.vcemergency.com/business-attestation. 
  • Post the COVID compliance hotline contact information on a flyer in an area where customers can easily view it. 

On behalf of the City of Ventura, thank you for your resiliency and willingness to adapt to new ways of doing business and helping support one other.

Stay safe and healthy Ventura, 

Economic Development Manager