Group of CA senators ask Gov. Newsom to reclassify restaurants as essential businesses

Currently, restaurants in regions around the state that are under a stay at home order are required to close indoor and outdoor dining.

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Wednesday, December 16, 2020
11 CA senators ask Newsom to allow restaurants to open for dining
Eleven state senators from both sides of the aisle are urging Gov. Newsom to move restaurants into the "essential'' category and permit them to reopen for dining.

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A new effort to save California's restaurants is underway at the state capital.

A bipartisan group of eleven state senators, including Sen. Andreas Borgeas of Fresno and Sen. Melissa Hurtado of Hanford, are urging Gov. Gavin Newsom to classify restaurants as an essential business and allow them to reopen.

RELATED: Central CA COVID-19 updates: Latest ICU capacities, stay-home order restrictions

Currently, restaurants in regions around the state that are under a stay at home order are required to close indoor and outdoor dining, including the San Joaquin Valley.

In a letter to the governor, the lawmakers said the future of thousands of restaurants, their employees and local communities are dependent on the industry's survival.

RELATED: Fresno restaurant owners urge CA to let them reopen or show data on why they can't

Restrictions brought on by COVID-19 have the industry teetering on disaster.

"Many restaurants have gone out of business, and now, with the approach of winter and new guidelines that restrict indoor dining, many others will be forced to consider a similar choice," the letter said.

So far, there's been no comment from the governor's office.

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