But it will be a challenge for the city’s restaurant operators.
“We’ve highlighted, we’ve changed, we’re open, we’ve done everything we were asked to do,” said Melba Wilson, owner of Melba’s Restaurant in Harlem and head of the New York City Hospitality Alliance. “I don’t know if we can get back out of this,” he added.
Melba’s restaurant has been open for 16 years. Prior to the outbreak, Wilson had about 39 employees. Now that she is about 19, she fears that the new restrictions will mean releasing more people.
He considers New York City’s restrictions to be unnecessarily strict because restaurants in other parts of New York State are currently allowed to remain open for indoor dining despite increasing cases.
“Why should we be fined?” Refers to New York restaurants that follow official guidelines. “A lot of us can’t come back.”
During his press conference on Friday, Cuomo said the business eviction ban, which was in place during the epidemic, would be extended. He also pointed to the city’s outdoor dining program, which has allowed restaurants to create temporary outdoor dining systems, which is a relief. Many restaurants have come up with more business using the new scheme. He noted that in the absence of outdoor dining, restaurants have shifted to delivery and takeout.
But the reaction of elected officials has left some restaurant owners frustrated that they do not see the action as adequate.
“They can hold their zoom meetings and express their views. They’re not on the street, they do not have the problems we do,” said Sam Barbury, owner of Waterfront All House in Manhattan.
“I should have been open,” Barbie said. “We will continue to run our business as before. Trust us that we are going to divide the people,” he said. “Let’s move forward.”