Chelmsford Restaurants Hope End Of Curfew Signals Turnaround
CHELMSFORD, MA — Restaurants across the state, including in Chelmsford, will be able to stay open beyond 9:30 p.m. beginning Monday because the number of positive test cases, positive test rates and coronavirus hospitalizations are “all trending in the right direction," Gov. Charlie Baker said Thursday.
Chelmsford restauranteurs say they hope the lifting of the curfew for businesses signals a turnaround, and will help build confidence among would-be restaurant goers.
"This is great," said Justin Hayes who is a manager at Moonstones. "It's going to be great for business. It means we're moving in the right direction."
Hayes said business has been rough amid the pandemic. Back in March the restaurant — which is primarily a sit down establishment — had to transform into a take-out business almost overnight. Of the 30-some employees, management was forced to let go of nearly 90 percent, Hayes said.
"That hurts," he said.
Eventually, as restrictions eased and indoor dining was permitted again and they were able to bring back many.
Out door seating during the summer helped, too, he said. But when the governor announced the curfew, business plummeted, Hayes said.
"It put a damper on business," he said. "The curfew almost put a fear factor in people's minds. As soon as the [governor's decision to have a curfew] was made we saw fewer guests."
This despite that, the restaurant takes every precaution he said, rattling off a list of changes from using special sanitizers to the installation of special air filters in the air filtration, staff constantly washing hands, cleaning and disinfecting everything. All of this, he said, will likely be something the restaurant continues well after the pandemic.
The lifting of the curfew, though, he said, is a hopeful step.
"This is one move toward getting back to the normal," Hayes said. "Hopefully the vaccine will be available for public distribution soon. I think the governor made the right move."
Beyond Chelmsford, relief
Director of Government Affairs for the Massachusetts Restaurant Association Steve Clark said the restaurant is not alone in feeling a weight beginning to lift.
"The 9:30 curfew was preventing restaurants from having the ability to get a '2nd seating,' which is a significant source of business, especially on Thursday, Friday and Saturday," Clark said. "I know there are a number of places that were forced to lay off staff, as a result of the 9:30 curfew. This is a welcome change, and we look forward to the continued easing of restrictions."
In addition to lifted restrictions for restaurants, the governor announced lifted restrictions for health clubs, arcades, indoor and outdoor events, movie theaters, liquor stores and cannabis shops. However, the 25 percent capacity limit on most businesses will continue until at least Feb. 8.
“We believe that it’s time and OK to start a gradual easing of restrictions,” Baker said at a Thursday news conference announcing a new round of small business grants.
While COVID-19 numbers have improved in the past couple weeks, they are still significantly higher than when the stay-at-home advisory was instituted in the late fall. State health officials on Wednesday announced 3,987 new cases and 78 more deaths. There were 2,209 COVID-19 patients hospitalized, with 444 in intensive care.
Jenna Fisher is a news reporter for Patch. Got a tip? She can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a something you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how.
This article originally appeared on the Chelmsford Patch
