New York City closed indoor dining. Restaurants are worried that they will not survive

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo discussed the ban Govt Conference Friday, Admitted that there would be an “economic crisis” for restaurants. He said the city’s density poses a particular risk to indoor food, and pointed to the CDC’s latest guideline, which advised people to stay away from certain indoor spaces. “We ask that you all be caught,” Guomo said.

But it will be a challenge for the city’s restaurant operators.

Nationwide, 10,000 restaurants have closed in the past three months, according to the National Restaurant Association. In New York, the numbers are bad. Last week, even before the new ban was announced, CNN Business’s Economic Recovery Supervisor reported that meals at restaurants in the state were down 70% compared to last year.

“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.”

30 retailers and restaurant chains that applied for bankruptcy in 2020

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.

Alternatives to indoor dining are scarce for many restaurants. Delivery services like Seamless often take a cut from every order, which can put restaurants in red. Also expensive to set up outdoor dining. In addition, when the weather changes, fewer people can eat outside. Before winter storms, restaurants must completely remove their outdoor systems.

“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.”

.Source

Leave a Comment