San Diego County faces tightened restrictions for the next few weeks as COVID-19 cases increase in the region, according to a public health order that goes into effect Tuesday, July 7.

Indoor dining is closed for at least three weeks at restaurants, bars, breweries and wineries, officials said in a Monday update. Outdoor dining will still be allowed until 10 p.m. in addition to pickup, delivery and drive-through options.

The order comes in light of the county’s placement on a state watch list after three consecutive days of increased COVID-19 cases.

Among the restrictions is a renewed advisory for residents to remain in their homes with the exception of essential business.

“All persons are to remain in their homes or at their place of residence, except for employees or customers traveling to and from essential businesses, reopened businesses, or essential activities” as defined in the declaration, the order states.

Certain outdoor individual and family activities are allowed in the order. Other than that, all public and private gatherings — defined as “any event or convening that brings together more than one person in a single room or single indoor or outdoor space at the same time” — are prohibited.

Businesses deemed nonessential are to remain closed, the county ordered. Restaurants and other businesses allowed to remain open with limitations must file a Safe Reopening Plan with the county and post it near the entrance of the establishment.

The county’s order includes extensive details in 36 sections. Click here to view the full order.

The coronavirus is infecting more residents in younger age groups, county health officials reported Monday. People between the ages of 20 and 39 now make up about 50% of the reported cases.

“The surge in cases is occurring in these age groups because they are less likely to wear a face covering and maintain physical distance,” Dr. Wilma Wooten, the county’s public health officer, said in the Monday update.

The county reported 274 cases for July 5, bringing the total number to 17,000. Of those, nearly 2,000 have required hospitalization, a rate of just over 11%. The 14-day rolling average of positive tests is 5.4%, according to the county’s Monday report.

As of July 5, Encinitas had a total of 171 cases. Escondido had 659, Oceanside had 513, Vista had 392, San Marcos had 321, Carlsbad had 246, Solana Beach had 32, Rancho Santa Fe had 33 and Del Mar had 22.

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