Local Restaurants Fear the Effects of the COVID-19 Stay Home Order

EUREKA, Calif. (KIEM) – Outdoor dining may no longer be an option if COVID-19 cases continue to worsen in northern California.

The regional stay home order that was announced yesterday will be enforced within 24 hours in regions with less than 15% intensive care unit (ICU) availability. Fortunately, Humboldt County has an ICU availability of 18.6%. However, if that percentage were to fall less than 15 percent, restaurants would only be allowed to do take-out, pick up, or delivery.

Sean Balassas, owner of Golden Harvest Café, says, “That’s what would hurt us… if it was just take-out and delivery. We still have customers coming in for the outdoor dining, so if we lose the outdoor dining, we’ll probably lose half of our business.”

Although the Eureka police department said they will not be strictly enforcing these COVID-19 restrictions, one restaurant owner wants to do his part to keep everyone safe.

Mike Munson, Owner of AA Bar and Grill, says, “We don’t have any plans to really fight the system… we want to be as compliant as possible. You know, we’ll do what we think is appropriate and healthy.”