Black Angus Steakhouse is giving no hint when it will reopen after temporarily closing more than half of its locations, including most restaurants in Southern California.

The reason is COVID-19 restrictions, according to taped phone messages on closed locations. The Sherman Oaks-based chain did not respond to an email requesting details at press time. The chain’s Facebook page wished guests a happy 2021 and as of Sunday was promoting family meals, a trend that emerged from the pandemic.

The Black Angus website shows 34 locations overall in five states and Vancouver, with 15 listed as open in Arizona, California, Hawaii and Washington.

Seven are open in California, but only two are open in Southern California: Lancaster and Torrance.

Closed restaurants include Bakersfield, Buena Park, Burbank, Fountain Valley, Lakewood, Montclair, Monrovia, Northridge, Ontario, San Bernardino, Santa Ana, Temecula and Whittier.

In a Dec. 14 Facebook post, Black Angus asked its customers to support the restaurants that remain open by ordering takeout and delivery.

In an effort to stem the surge of the novel coronavirus pandemic, California banned in-person restaurant dining for three weeks after Thanksgiving. The stay-at-home measure was extended for Southern California on Dec. 29. Many independent restaurants say they may go under before before they have a chance to reopen.

Other Southern California businesses have announced temporary layoffs or closures since the shutdown, including King’s Seafood Co. and Pink’s Hot Dogs.