NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- One-third to one-half of New York City's bars and restaurants could permanently close within the next six months to a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a report released by the state's comptroller on Thursday said.
New York City's restaurant industry employed more than 315,000 people this past February, according to a report released by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli on Thursday.
By April, that number had dropped to 91,000. It rose to 174,000 in August — two months after the city allowed eateries to reopen for outdoor dining, the report said.
If one-third to one-half of the restaurants and bars that existed in New York City prior to the pandemic shutter within the next six months to a year, as estimates project is possible, the five boroughs would lose between 8,000 and 12,000 establishments and 106,000 to 159,000 jobs, according to the report.
A report released by the NYC Hospitality Alliance earlier this month found that 87 percent of New York City's restaurants, bars and nightlife venues were unable to pay their full rents in August.
"New York City's bars and restaurants are the lifeblood of our neighborhoods," DiNapoli said in a statement. "Now they face an unprecedented upheaval that may cause many establishments to close forever."
"It's important that the state and city continue to be creative and bolster the industry," he added. "The city's decision to extend outdoor dining year-round to help keep restaurants afloat is a step in the right direction along with opening for indoor dining."
