Avenir Restaurant Group, which operates several restaurants on the peninsula, has been doing robust business with outdoor dining. But that all ends Thursday evening when a regional stay-at-home order goes into effect.
Co-owner Greg St. Claire tells KCBS Radio that he will have to lay off nearly 300 employees today after spending a small fortune building outdoor dining infrastructure.
He feels outdoor dining is safe with proper protocols, and he fears for the future of his employees and restaurants.
"They have taken such a hit in, this the hospitality industry. I mean it’s not just restaurants, it’s catering, holiday catering, your hotels" said Roseann Foust, director of workforce development for San Mateo County, which reported a record 455 cases on Wednesday.
Foust said the region is resilient and can bounce back once the virus is tamed, but residents have to do their part to make that happen.
"If they want their favorite restaurants, their favorite retailers, to survive the shut down, then we all need to shop local. By that I mean order take out more frequently than you do. Go and pick it up so they don’t have to pay any of the delivery fees."
The stay-at-home order goes into effect at midnight and shuts down not only outdoor dining, but also hotels, movie theaters, museums, bars and wineries and personal care services including barbers, nail salons and gyms.
Retailers will be limited to only 20% capacity.
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