NYC is one of the most diverse cities with food establishments that represent every culture, and patrons that are proud to support them. The light of our city is being dimmed by officials who refuse to open up indoor dining, but it is so important to highlight just how vital restaurants are to our city’s heart and survival. 

Indoor dining was supposed to begin on July 8th, and has been extended with no start date in sight. This puts NYC restaurant owners in a state of limbo, where they choose between trying to revive their business with to-go orders/outdoor dining or continue to wait, and struggle. New Yorkers have been following guidelines to be able to successfully go into each Phase of reopening. Restaurant owners patiently waited and followed guidelines and health department protocols to reopen, but were not even given the chance!! Indoor dining cannot keep being pushed back, they need to open up with limited capacity now! 

Unfortunately, many restaurants have already had to close their doors for good, while others are barely hanging on. It has been a heavy burden to keep up with high rent, supply costs, and employee wages with little to no customers. Rents need to be paid but how can businesses pay without customers to earn profits? Small, local businesses especially have been hurt by not being able to have indoor dining. These businesses need to open NOW. 

Please help show our Governor and Mayor that with following strict health guidelines, we can responsibly open up indoor dining to limited capacity. Long Island and many other regions have done it with good results, so what is the hold up with NYC? These small business owners need to be given a fair chance to save their business and stay afloat in these difficult times.