California bars asked to shut down, restaurants limited by Newsom. Here’s what people are saying
California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Sunday announcement effectively shutting down bars, nightclubs, wineries and breweries in the state and cutting restaurant occupancy by half, caught local businesses off-guard and prompted divided opinions among patrons online.
>> SEE THE LIST OF RESTAURANTS CLOSING
The governor’s order, meant to slow the spread of the new coronavirus in high-traffic areas, came after a previous announcement that urged large gatherings of 250 or more people to be postponed or canceled.
“We believe that this is a nonessential function in our state,” Newsom said of the bar closures.
Newsom’s latest ruling pulled at the tensions between public health and economics as Sacramento leadership attempts to walk a fine line between the two.
The state’s restaurant industry normally serves about 10 million meals per day, according to California Restaurant Association president and CEO Jot Condie. Allowing restaurants to remain open in a limited capacity properly balances health needs with business interests, he said in a prepared statement.
“We think, for the moment, the governor’s guidelines relative to restaurants reducing capacity is a responsible approach. He does so understanding that the other critical role we play is to help provide sustenance for many Californians,” Condie said. “With many schools being shut down, the need for meals will increase, and restaurant kitchens – through delivery and pick-up – can provide that needed capacity.”
Many local businesses have already seen a downturn in the past few weeks. Chinese restaurants were among the first hit due to fears of the coronavirus, which originated in China, while yoga studios were taking extra precautionary measures to ensure cleanliness amid the outbreak.
Now, local service establishments will likely see even more disruption to their businesses — a possibility which many elected leaders have been attempting to address.
Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Tulare, suggested that his constituency should visit bars to fight the economic downturn.
“If you’re healthy, you and your family, it’s a great time to go out and go to a local restaurant, likely you can get in easily. Let’s not hurt the working people in this country that are relying on wages and tips to keep their small business going,” Nunes said. “Just don’t run to the grocery store and buy $4,000 worth of groceries, you know, go to your local pub.”
The remarks garnered wide criticism, as the congressman’s suggestion runs counter to the advice of medical professionals, who have emphasized social distancing as a tactic to reduce contact with infected individuals and contain the spread of the virus.
Sacramento’s response
Sacramento leadership, however, echoed the sentiment. Mayor Darrell Steinberg asked residents to provide much-needed stimulus to the local economy in a since-deleted Tweet the day before Newsom made his announcement.
“Please safely patronize our local businesses during this difficult time,” Steinberg said. City leaders recently waived parking fees after 4:30 p.m. to promote increased patronage.
The comment drew ire from the community, as many urged the mayor to revise his stance in the interest of public safety.
“You’re really bad at this. The bars should close,” Twitter user Christopher Law said.
“This is an extremely dangerous statement and harms our community. Most are encouraging social distancing to protect workers, friends, family, and slow the spread,” user Sarah Kanbar said.
Later, Steinberg shifted his position, voicing support for Newsom’s order.
“This will require us all to make real sacrifices, but they are necessary to slow the progress of this pandemic. Our sacrifices will keep people alive,” Newsom said during an afternoon news conference. “I feel for our small businesses, restaurants and working people who will face economic hardship as a result. We are working round the clock with our business and labor communities and state government to do all we can to help.”
Although some Sacramento restaurants saw a dip in business this weekend, plenty more were still well-patronized — including Tower Cafe, which boasted a line out the door for brunch.
But Newsom noted that he doesn’t expect much resistance to the new restrictions, considering the acquiescence he has seen to previous coronavirus measures.
“We have the absolute expectation this will be socialized in real time,” Newsom said.
‘It’s pretty brutal’
Tiger general manager Anthony Cordova said his business would comply with Newsom’s request and shut down its bar program immediately. Cordova said he was about to talk to the owners of the globally-inspired restaurant and bar Sunday afternoon to determine how to keep serving food.
Cordova and chef Barton Roberts just introduced a revamped menu and rotating nightlife lineup last month, hoping to capitalize on foot traffic coming from Golden 1 Center half a block away. When the NBA suspended the remainder of its season Wednesday and concerts began being canceled, they started to realize that might not happen.
“It’s pretty brutal. It went from 0 to 100 within days,” Cordova said. “I thought they were at least going to get us a couple games this month.”
Federalist Public House & Beer Garden announced it would remain open for dine-in service in a Facebook post. The midtown pizza-and-beer spot will start curbside pickup mid-week, will keep pies unsliced in to let them be reheated easier at customers’ homes and will fulfill boxed sandwich, salad and pasta catering orders for groups up to 500, according to the post.
“We appreciate your continued support and with so many forced to stay home we are ready to meet that demand as well,” the post read. “We are all a part of this community and we will get through this together ... or the state-mandated six feet of space (apart).”
Not all patrons were overjoyed at the prospect of staying home.
“Restaurants and bars about to close tonight ... I’m gonna cry,” one San Diego-based Twitter user said in the wake of the announcement. “Government trying to make me eat home cooked meals.”
Others said Newsom didn’t go far enough, arguing that his orders lacked enforcement measures.
“It was a suggestion,” a Long Beach Twitter user said. “There is absolutely no decisive leadership coming from Sacramento.”
Closure, for now, voluntary
Indeed, the governor admitted, the closure of bars and reduced seating at restaurants is, as of now, voluntary. But, he reminded residents, the potential to enforce the measure is only a signature away.
“I’m confident these guidelines will be well-received,” Newsom said. “I think people individually get that they need to do the right thing.”
At Q Street Bar & Grill in midtown Sacramento, Newsom was largely being proven right. Many sipping beers on Sunday afternoon said that there were more pressing concerns at the moment than the status of their favorite haunt.
Don Crocker said the governor’s move was ultimately a reasonable response to the health crisis.
“It’s unfortunate. We never have gone through anything like this before,” Crocker said. “But it seems like a good decision to make, give it a little bit of a cooling-off period.”
He said there’s already been a noticeable decrease in bar attendance recently, granting support to the governor’s claim that social distancing is being internalized in communities.
“It’s prudent measures for a weird unprecedented situation,” Crocker said. “It’ll be a little annoying, but we’ll be fine.”
Still others preferred the more aggressive European approach. Many countries, including Italy, France and Spain, have proposed widespread closures of a variety of businesses.
“We’re currently locked down in Spain,” another Twitter user said in response to Steinberg’s statement. “Bars, restaurants, shops all closed save those selling food and medicine. Frankly, I think it safer for us to be here than where millions reject advice of medical science.”
But Newsom brushed off any possible claims of optics during his news conference.
“I don’t deal with perceptions. I deal with reality,” he said.
This story was originally published March 15, 2020 at 3:42 PM with the headline "California bars asked to shut down, restaurants limited by Newsom. Here’s what people are saying."
