Coachella Valley business owners are adapting to new coronavirus curfew
Businesses in the valley adapted once again over the weekend. This time to the limited curfew that went into effect on Saturday night. It applies to counties in the ‘purple’ tier, including Riverside County.
News Channel 3’s Dani Romero shows us the impact to the already struggling restaurant industry.
Restaurant owners around the valley told us they are finding it harder and harder to survive the pandemic after the state imposed more restrictions.
“It’s a little stressful right now not to mention all of our staff who’s completely dependent they are not getting unemployment anymore and they need the help," said Mindy Reed, owner of ZIN American Bistro. "Closing earlier means I need less people so it’s really hitting everybody.”
It’s the latest round of restrictions that has business owner, Mindy Reed fearing how she will manage through the holidays.
“Just started to get our feet back under us sort of," said Reed. "And now to get completely shutdown again or to even have a curfew thats a whole hour of our night. I mean at 8:30pm having to stop seating people is really early.”
It started Saturday night. Restaurants had to close for dine-in service starting at 10 p.m. This is part of a statewide curfew issued by the governor on counties currently in the purple tier.
“I know something has to be done but its really pointless because the casino's are open," said Reed. "What ends up happening is that literally everybody ends up going to the casino and the casino packed"
The late night scene on Arenas Road in Palm Springs was different this weekend. Other business owners told me this part of town sees an uptick in foot traffic later at night. So the 10 o'clock curfew was another hit to their business.
“As soon as the sun comes down, we get another good crowd but the later nights the younger kids like to come out and visit," said Mary Bongard, manager at Hunters Palm Springs. "That hurts us when they want to come out at 9 and we are closing at 10.”
LA County took restrictions further by suspending even outdoor dining starting Wednesday night.
“It will be a topic of discussion thats for sure," said Supervisor Manuel Perez, Fourth District Supervisor for County of Riverside.
We asked our county supervisor if limiting to only food to-go would be on the table here.
“The supervisors will come together and think through what can we do together to further help support our economy or business community and at the same time doing it safely," said Perez.
Supervisor Perez said the possibility of closing outdoor dining was being discussed within their executive office and with the state health department.
The curfew is set to remain in effect until Dec. 21 at 5 a.m.
