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Labor Day weekend, Palm Springs businesses see more tourists despite COVID restrictions

Labor Day weekend is bringing tourists to Palm Springs. Even though the pandemic restrictions are still in place in Palm Springs and cases numbers are still high, that didn't stop visitors from making their way to the valley.

“I've got both my picture of my [vaccine] card and I've got the barcode, the QR code, on my phone. So we've gone to several restaurants already and it was easy, breezy," said Los Angeles tourist Glenn Nezgoda.

When asked about the coronavirus spreading, Nezgoda, who is vaccinated, said he is always conscious about the virus and does his best to play it safe.

Currently, everyone in Palm Springs has to wear masks indoors. Also, to dine indoors, guests must show their vaccine card or a negative COVID-19 test within the last 72 hours.

Some restaurants downtown even had multiple groups of people waiting outside to get a table.

"For us the business has been great I mean, definitely an increase this weekend for sure," said the owner of Oscar's Downtown Palm Springs, Dan Gore. "We were able to move everything outside. So we didn't want to- we've had several cancellations even because of the heat, but you know, we're able to because of our footprint here."

Many local shops also saw a steady stream of people. The manager of the shop Kat and Cody, Gregory Sroda, said this Labor Day weekend is much better than last year.

“So much better, like people are out and about and we get to see the community and the tourists from all over," said Sroda. "People are actually really appreciative that we are asking people to wear masks because you know, we're all helping to save lives and helping them end the pandemic.“

Sroda said the surge in business this weekend has helped make up for losses due to the pandemic.

"Support local businesses, it is so so important in this time that we're in, to support your small businesses, shop local shop small and have a great weekend," said Sroda.

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Marian Bouchot

Marian Bouchot is the weekend morning anchor and a reporter for KESQ News Channel 3. Learn more about Marian here.

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