[Sign up for California Today, our daily newsletter from the Golden State.] OAKLAND, Calif. — Facing swelling political pressure and numerous lawsuits by businesses forced to shut down, Gov. Gavin Newsom of California on Monday lifted a strict stay-at-home order and handed to local authorities greater control over whether restaurants, hair salons and other commerce could reopen. The relaxation of restrictions comes as large parts of Southern California are still recording high death and hospitalization rates and many hospitals in Los Angeles County continue to be overwhelmed with Covid-19 patients. The changes on Monday do not by any stretch remove all virus-related restrictions in the state.

Source: New York Times January 25, 2021 23:26 UTC