Pamela Cruz. Peninsula 360 Press [P360P].
San Mateo County filed a lawsuit Thursday to close Pacifica Beach Yoga Studio for repeatedly refusing to comply with state public health orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The violations include holding "unmasked" yoga classes indoors when all indoor gyms, fitness centers and yoga studios are under state health orders to cease operations, the city council said in a statement.
In that regard, the county detailed that the studio owner has refused repeated requests from San Mateo staff to voluntarily comply with public health orders.
"This business has left us no choice," said San Mateo County Councilman John Beiers. "Our community expects that when your state government imposes stay-at-home laws, those laws will be applied fairly and equitably to ensure everyone plays by the same rules."
The lawsuit filed in San Mateo County Superior Court seeks an order for the studio owner to comply with all public health orders per COVID-19 and immediately stop all indoor operations.
So far, the county's COVID-19 Trade Compliance Team has received 26 online complaints since late October against Pacifica Beach Yoga alleging violations of health orders.
After visits and warnings to the studio, a county compliance officer issued an initial $250 citation on November 14, 2020. After subsequent citations, the fines levied so far total $3,750.
During a hearing held, Judge Danny Chou granted the county's request for a temporary restraining order for Pacifica Beach Yoga to close immediately.
The preliminary injunction hearing is set for February 4, 2021, at which time the court will evaluate the need to continue the injunction.
"We have a simple and clear message here in San Mateo County: 'Wear your damn mask.' It's not about you, it's about everyone around you, including your friends, your loved ones and people you don't even know who you're in contact with," said David J. Canepa, chairman of the Board of Supervisors.
Pacifica Beach Yoga is the first business against which the County has sought court action for failing to comply with health orders.
Due to the pandemic and limited ICU capacity, San Mateo County remains under a Regional Stay at Home Order that requires most indoor businesses to close and people to stay home except for essential needs and other limited exceptions.
