Over 550 CT Restaurants Ask Lamont To Move Up Indoor Dining Date
CONNECTICUT — In less than 24 hours, more than 550 local restaurants added their business to a letter urging Gov. Ned Lamont to begin indoor dining June 10. This date is a full three weeks after outdoor dining began and 86 days since the restaurant dining rooms were told to shut down.
"Without this earlier date, it is clear that more restaurants can and will fail in the intervening days. This is not hyperbole," the letter reads. "Just this week and only steps from the Capitol, Firebox Restaurant in Hartford closed after 13 years in operation. They simply could not hold out any longer. Right now, every day counts for our industry. Opening indoor service before the 20th will mean the difference for other restaurants, for their employees, and for our economy."
The signees point to what they say is a track record throughout the COVID pandemic of providing safe service, as well as Connecticut's strong metrics in comparison to neighboring states, as reasons that indoor dining can safely begin much earlier than the current date of June 20. They also point out that Rhode Island has already begun indoor service, likely sending eastern Connecticut customers out of state, and continuing to restrain local economies.
"Just about every restaurant in the state is teetering on the edge of financial hardship, and we need to do everything possible to keep them afloat," said Scott Dolch, executive director of the Connecticut Restaurant Association. "The Governor and his administration have a chance to do what is right for our industry and help put our local businesses on a better path towards recovery."
Connecticut restaurants have committed to abiding by certain safety and hygiene measures during the pandemic. These are detailed here.
WTNH News 8's Jodi Latina reports that the restaurants may partially get their wish, as she said the "governor’s office is considering allowing the restaurants to do an early ramp up the week of June 20 in order to be prepared for Father’s Day.” Father's Day is June 21.
See also: New Drive-In Theater Proposed; Teen Charged In Double-Homicide
This article originally appeared on the Across Connecticut Patch
