San Benito County bracing for new COVID-19 restrictions
HOLLISTER, Calif. (KION) Local leaders in San Benito County, which could face the new COVID-19 rules within the next coming days as part of the San Joaquin Valley region designation, are reacting the governor's announcement on Thursday.
The outdoor parklet at La Catrina Mexican Grill in downtown Hollister is as busy as ever, but the advent of new restrictions imposed by the state is putting a damper on a beautiful night.
"Me traveling for work from Arizona through California, seeing the way other states are taking this, it's.. everybody else is opened up and we're shutting down once again," said Danny Curayag, a Hollister resident.
"I just don't think we can be going back and forth the way we're doing. We're either aggressively doing something or we're not. This back and forth dimmer switch thing is not working," said Hollister Mayor Ignacio Velazquez.
Just a few weeks ago, the new and improved downtown Hollister area on San Benito Street debuted with a new parklet set up designed to help businesses offer outdoor services and dining.
But under the new COVID-19 rules the governor announced, all this could be shutdown once again. The mayor says the state is focusing on the wrong issues.
"These small businesses will go out of business and they're not the cause of this problem. We know the cause is large gatherings, family gatherings, large events," said Velazquez.
Under new restrictions, the most obvious impact would be on the restaurants' outdoor dining within their little enclaves on the street. Eateries would have to go back to strictly take out or delivery only.
Many of the retail shops along the street would also have to reduce the number of customers in their stores. Many business owners told KION off-camera it is putting salt in a year-long wound, saying it is not fair that bigger chains like Walmart or Costco can stay open.
Other places like the Hollister House Bar and Grill have already been sold. Many residents are just fed up.
"I don't think it's fair at all. I think it should be up to every city to impose what they want to do if they decide to shutdown based on the way this is happening. It isn't fair at all," said Curayag.
There was also some frustration with San Benito County getting lumped in with the San Joaquin Valley counties instead of with the other two Central Coast counties which were put in the Bay Area region.
The mayor says he is inquiring with the health department and the state about why that is.
