Restaurants and Retailers Preparing for New Restrictions in DE & MD

DELAWARE AND MARYLAND- The Delaware Restaurant Association says restaurants contribute 2.5 billion dollars in economic activity to the state. The association says lowering the restrictions is not fair to the restaurant industry. Alex Heidenberger, a partner at Mango's and Hideaway said, "You know there's nothing about COVID restrictions that makes our job in hospitality easier." That reaction coming a day after Maryland and Delaware make changes to restrictions. Restaurants in Delaware ordered to operate at 30 percent capacity, the same as in phase one from months ago. Maryland now closing all bars and restaurants from 10pm to 5am. Restrictions also impacting other retailers where in Maryland they can now only allow 50 percent capacity, opposed to the 75 percent that has been in place. Sivan Cohen, a Manager at Fin's and Co Apparel said, "So less people are coming, it's not warm outside anymore, so it kind of is like every other off-season, maybe it's a little less because people can't really do much travel and stuff."  Cohen says the shop is closing in December but not because of COVID, but because business usually slows down anyway. Carrie Leishman, President of the Delaware Restaurant Association is not happy with the change. She says restaurants are being included in the change, when the data suggests they have not been spreading the virus. Leishman says this change is going to have sever consequences in no time.  Leishman said, "20-30 percent of restaurants will close within the year regardless, just because of the pressure from the pandemic and this really in our opinion accelerates more closures and more layoffs."   And this will also effect those working in the restaurants and bars. Heidenberger said, "I wonder what this looks like on the other side you know do these folks come back and work in the industry or you know bartenders specifically you know they've really had you know, no business."  Leishman says more will need to be made available to even see some of the restaurants keep their doors open through the winter. In Maryland the new restrictions kick in Friday at 5pm, but in Delaware, they don't take effect until Monday.