(WWJ) Starting Wednesday, Michigan's already struggling restaurants and bars will be closed for indoor service -- at least through December 8.
Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association CEO Justin Winslow says 2,000 restaurants in the state have already permanently closed this year due to coronavirus restrictions. And Winslow says we could see that number triple under this latest order by the health department.
"We also believe this is likely not going to just be a three week order, that this will at least go through the holidays," Winslow said. "So for this industry that's probably gonna mean 250,000 to 300,000 employees laid off for the holiday season. That's going to mean upwards to 5,000 to 6,000 restaurants closing permanently, for good."
Tom Thomas, who owns the Rams Horn at 12 Mile and Franklin Rd. in Southfield is, like many others, "not very happy" about the shutdown order.
"I'm not angry, but I am upset," Thomas told WWJ Newsradio 950's Charlie Langton.
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He's already lost a lot of business this year.
"We will be at maybe 25% of our pre-COVID business, and that really hurts. That is a tough pill to swallow, and we're gonna do the best we can," Thomas said.
Winslow will be trying to make the best of an unfortunate situation. "We are gonna do what we did the last time," he said. "We're gonna stay open for carryouts deliveries and do the best that we can."
Dawn, at Ferndale's Apple Fritter Donut Shop on 9 Mile Rd., said her customers will feel the effects.
"There's so many sad people that can't come in here, sit down and just congregate and just talk about what's going on in the world; discuss politics, discuss the weather, discuss anything that's going on in their lives," she said. "People miss that socialization, and we need that back so bad."
The donut shop biz has taken a hit during the pandemic, Dawn said. as they're not getting big corporates orders with so many people working from home.
This comes as state health officials say COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are skyrocketing in the state, with health systems nearly capacity in Michigan and across the U.S.
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Under the new orders issued by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services on Sunday, casinos, movie theaters, bowling alleys and ice rinks will also be closed. High schools and colleges will have to move to online learning.
Retail stores, hair salons, gyms, health care offices and other personal care facilities will remain open.