California Gov. Gavin Newsom and comedian George Lopez on Friday shot a short video about COVID-19 vaccinations inside a restaurant in Fresno, where indoor dining is still banned.
Mr. Newsom visited the Los Amigos Mexican restaurant in Fresno to highlight small businesses that received COVID-19 financial relief. In a 14-second video posted to Mr. Newsom‘s TikTok account, Mr. Lopez is sitting at a table inside the restaurant when the governor appears behind him.
“How do I find out if I can find a vaccination?” Mr. Lopez asks in the video.
“George, you gotta go to MyTurn.ca.gov,” the Democratic governor responds.
“Wait a minute — thank you, governor!” the comedian replies.
“Wonderful to be of service, George,” Mr. Newsom says.
Special guest today in Fresno — @georgelopez — spreading the word about vaccines for our farmworkers!! pic.twitter.com/OjqrpQHwOC
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) February 26, 2021
A table with dishes, drinks and possibly food can be seen behind Mr. Newsom, sparking accusations that he violated coronavirus restrictions banning indoor dining in Fresno, which is still in the purple tier phase of reopening.
A spokesperson for the governor said Mr. Newsom did not dine at the restaurant, The Sacramento Bee reported.
“We’ve been able to support small businesses, like Fresno’s Los Amigos Mexican Restaurant,” the governor’s office tweeted. “That’s why this week we took immediate action to provide an additional $2B for small business grants for up to $25K for entrepreneurs hurt by #COVID19.”
The news comes as Mr. Newsom faces a massive recall effort in the state over his lockdown approach to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Democratic governor faced a backlash in November after he attended a multi-household birthday party at the famed French Laundry restaurant in Napa.
The owners of Los Amigos wrote in a since-deleted Facebook post that Mr. Newsom did not dine at the restaurant and that Mr. Lopez dined outside.
“Currently we are not open for indoor dining,” the post read, The Bee reported. “George Lopez and the Governor of California visited our location. They answer questions, the governor didn’t stay to eat. George Lopez (ate) in the Patio with some (of) our customers.”
In a video that remains on the Los Amigos Facebook account, a maskless Mr. Lopez speaks favorably about the restaurant’s food.
“I’m George Lopez,” the comedian says in the video. “If there’s one thing I know, it’s Mexican food. And I don’t care where you get it. The best place to get it is Los Amigos.”
Mr. Lopez also joined the governor at the Dr. Sharon Stanley Rea Community Center, where a new mobile vaccine clinic is administering shots to farm and agricultural workers.
