'It's scary': Maryland restaurant owners fear more rollbacks as COVID-19 cases spike
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (ABC7) — Since the start of the pandemic, most local eateries like Seibel’s restaurant in Burtonsville has been in a struggle to survive.
They pivoted to carry out only. Then opened to limited outside dining. Then limited indoor dining was allowed. Now, as COVID numbers surge Seibel’s owner Lynn Martin says she knows she’s in for another fight.
“It’s scary to the point I don’t know whether I’ll have my doors open Jan. 1,” says Martin.
According to the Maryland Department of Health, all of Maryland’s numbers are on the rise. On Tuesday, Governor Hogan announced new restrictions, including decreasing restaurant capacity.
Martin fears fragile restaurants and their capacity will be a target.
“March 15, I had 39 employees,” says Martin, “I have 7 right now. If we go down to 25% I will most likely lay off 3 more people.”
Restaurant Association of Maryland President Marshall Weston says as many as 4,000 restaurants in the state could close permanently by the end of the year. He argues this autumn COVID spike should be met with targeted closures, not statewide rollbacks.
“Find the zip codes, find the neighborhoods where this is spreading, and deal with it in that manner,” he says.
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At Seibel’s, Lynn Martin believes her restaurant is safe for customers and staff. She too hopes the governor and local leaders take a more focused approach.
“Obviously, I don’t want to have a rollback for restaurants. I don’t think we’re functioning at that point. There may be specific restaurants that aren’t following the rules. Shut those restaurants down,” pleads Martin.
