SALINAS — In the wake of multiple complaints about live music in area restaurants and requests from area businesses for Monterey County officials to relax restrictions, the county Health Department issued a reminder that live entertainment is still not allowed due to the COVID-19 pandemic at all restaurants and other places serving food, even outdoors, according to California Department of Health guidance.

The advisory also noted state guidance prohibits live music or entertainment at any public gatherings or community events.

At the same time, county health officials noted that new state guidance issued this week now allows the use of playgrounds and equipment provided specific rules, including adult supervision, face coverings and social distancing, as well as regular cleaning protocols are observed.

The local and state guidance was released as county Health Officer Dr. Edward Moreno noted during a report to the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday a slight uptick in the county’s COVID-19 metrics, including seven-day average daily cases per 100,000 population – which rose from 5 to 5.8, and the seven-day test positivity rate – which rose from 9% to 9.9%.

Despite the uptick, Moreno said the county’s overall trend on the key metrics is still “downward.”

The county’s average daily cases must remain below 7 per 100,000 and the positivity rate must fall below 8% and remain there for two weeks before the county can move into a less restrictive tier under the state’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy system.

County health spokeswoman Karen Smith said the live entertainment advisory was issued due to “numerous” complaints from the public regarding live music at “various venues.” Smith also said county health has been getting calls and emails asking the county to change the restriction, but noted the county can’t unilaterally change a state-level restriction.

County Environmental Health Assistant Bureau Chief Ric Encarnacion said during a county briefing on Wednesday the live entertainment prohibition is designed to help avoid large gatherings and promote social distancing. Encarnacion said he understands how difficult it is for businesses during the pandemic and said the hope is the county’s COVID-19 numbers will drop, allowing more activities to commence, though he acknowledged he didn’t know what tier would allow live entertainment.

Smith noted during Wednesday’s briefing that drive-in movie theaters are allowed and drive-in concerts are under review.

Also Wednesday, Encarnacion said bureau inspectors had conducted 1,671 visits to local restaurants and other foodservice sites to check compliance with pandemic-related health and safety measures and had still not issued a single citation.

For questions, concerns or to submit a complaint to the County Environmental Health bureau, call (831) 755-4505 or visit the Monterey County Health Department Environmental Health website at www.mtyhd.org/COVID‐19‐EHB.

Meanwhile, the state issued new guidance on the use of outdoor playgrounds and other outdoor recreational facilities on Monday, which applies to free facilities operated by city, county, state or federal government in parks, campgrounds, and other publicly accessible locations that are open to the general public.

Playgrounds have been closed to children for months during the pandemic, and Smith said county health “encourages families to get out and exercise and follow posted safety measures when using playgrounds,” noting the continued importance of wearing face coverings, washing hands frequently, and remaining 6 feet away from people from different households.

State rules include requiring everyone aged 2 or older to wear a face mask covering mouth and nose, with caregiver supervision at all times; playground use must stop when people from different households are unable to remain 6 feet apart or when the posted capacity limit is exceeded; no eating or drinking is allowed at playgrounds; washing or sanitizing hands before and after playground use is required; avoid more crowded times of the day; limit visits to 30 minutes per day; and the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions should avoid playgrounds when others are present.

Smith said she believed private neighborhood playgrounds are still not allowed to open under state rules.

Indoor playgrounds and family entertainment centers are also still not allowed to open, according to state guidance.

A complete list of guidelines for outdoor playgrounds and other outdoor recreational facilities is available at https://bit.ly/3le3IUX.

Wednesday morning, county health reported a total of 10,087 confirmed coronavirus cases, an increase of 37 since Tuesday, along with 600 total hospitalizations and 73 deaths since the pandemic began.