An empty restaurant is seen in New York City. (Photo by Jeenah Moon / Getty Images)
In Writing
UPDATED AT 10:10 AM PT – Friday, January 1, 2021
New York restaurant owners have filed multiple lawsuits in recent weeks with the goal of restoring their businesses, which have been largely closed during the pandemic.
The most recent lawsuits were filed this week, as restaurant owners said they were frustrated by the frequent changes in rules that prevent them from offering indoor meals. Many of these restaurants operate in the orange areas of the state, which limits businesses to outdoor dining, takeaway or delivery.
With forecasts for the state putting temperatures just above frost, outdoor restaurants are fading as an option.
Owners have argued that standards for orange zone restrictions continue to change, basing closures on positive COVID-19 cases one day and then on hospital beds available the next. They also said the data show that less than 1.5% of COVID-19 distribution is due to restaurants, and that most of the spread is due to private meetings.
“So the question is, are these extreme closing actions, basically closing these restaurants to serving food, eating at home, reasonable in these circumstances? The economic impact on the business owner and all the employees is reasonable in view of the extremely low transmission rate that occurs, ”asked attorney Adam Gee.
A group of about 40 restaurant owners in upstate New York have demanded that their businesses be reopened. According to reports, a judge tells the state to reach a compromise or provide scientific evidence to support the restrictions.
“I spend a toll personally, with my family, with my children. You know that this year’s Christmas was extremely difficult, almost embarrassing. I was embarrassed that I could hardly afford to take care of my family, “said Brandon Carr, owner of the Quarter.” We still have to find a way to replenish all our food, find new staff, reach new systems. of payroll and all “.
In New York City, the hospitality alliance has argued that banning indoor food does more harm than good, saying about a thousand restaurants have closed and tens of thousands of places have been lost. of work in industry.
According to reports, the office of Governor Andrew Cuomo (DN.Y.) indicated that the state is facing multiple demands related to the restrictions.