Monterey County Officials push for more indoor dining services
PRUNEDALE, Calif. (KION)
The Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce says county officials are currently in discussions with state officials to assess the option to reopen more indoor dining services in Monterey County.
A member of the Monterey County Board of Supervisors sent a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom on behalf of the county, requesting to open indoor services at a 25 percent capacity despite not meeting the Metric Threshold requirement.
Chamber President, Paul Farmer, says businesses like restaurants and wineries that have been impacted financially during the pandemic may not survive the economic strain and the county could possibly see more closures.
Farmer says opening up indoor services would mean more customers and money to help keep businesses afloat.
“Even 25 percent is not a lot, but hopefully it’s enough so that they can hang on until times get better," says Farmer.
Farmer says upcoming winter conditions like rain and cold temperatures are also a concern.
"I think the government is overreacting, people don't like eating outdoors all the time, especially in the morning when it's cold," says Prunedale resident, Bob Chartrand.
While many people say they want to have more indoor service options, some business owners say they feel it is too dangerous despite their financial struggles.
"All you need is one people got it, then everybody will get it inside the restaurant," said one local business owner who wished to remain anonymous.
"We don't have salary, we don' have anything right now, I'd like to reopen but it's not worth it."
According to the Metric Tier Threshold, the ability to reopen services depends on the number of cases per county, among other things.
Currently, Monterey County stands at an adjusted case rate of 10 per every 100,000 people.
To move into the red tier, the county would have to be between 4 and 7 cases per every 100,000 people.
County officials say they received a response from California State Senator Anna Caballero and are now in talks with members of the governor's economic team to assess options and hope they come to an agreement.
No decision has been made so far.
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