Written by Amanda Angulo
On Thursday, Gov. Newsom announced that restaurants in the state of California will be able to continue services that provide them profit, those that had emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as alcoholic drinks to-go. While he was announcing this from Tommy’s Mexican Restaurant, Newsom had also encouraged local jurisdictions to also allow businesses to continue operating outdoors in parking lots, sidewalks, etc. However, such operations are still subject to local zoning regulations.
Since allowing to sell alcohol to-go, this has helped businesses make it during the pandemic and with their overall sales. For many, alcoholic sales are vital and essential to keep a business running. Newsom had also stated that in order to continue this type of sale, the alcoholic beverage needs to be paired with some food purchases as well.
“California’s restaurants help create the vibrant and diverse communities that make California the envy of the world,” said Gov. Newsom. “As the state turns to post-pandemic life, we’ll continue to adapt best practices that have helped businesses transform customer experience for the better.” However, the California Republican Party made sure to point out the fact that perhaps Newsom is doing the right thing now, but the restaurant industry has been the one to have, “suffered more than most under Gavin Newsom’s overbearing shutdowns.”
This is clearly an attempt by Newsom to do what he can to prevent the recall against him from becoming successful. He aims to make Californians forget the wrongdoings he did and the mishandling of the economy of our state during the pandemic done by his decisions. While businesses deserve to be compensated and receive some slack, it is important not to forget who caused them to be in a struggling position in the first place.
