Restaurant Group Backtracks On Vow To Defy COVID-19 Restrictions

WASHINGTON, DC — A D.C. restaurant group is backing down from its promise to defy Mayor Muriel Bowser's restrictions on bars and restaurants during the new coronavirus outbreak.

The Hill Restaurant Group — which manages Hawk 'n' Dove, Tortuga and five other eateries in the district — says it is complying with the city's order but will now have to make staff cuts to stay afloat.

"I have to start letting people go. I don't have the wherewithal to pay them," Tom Johnson, the managing partner of HRG, told The Washington Post on Monday. "It's literally going to put me out of business. I'm going to go bankrupt."

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The abrupt turnaround comes a day after HRG vowed to "operate as normal" despite the mayor's newest coronavirus restrictions on bars and restaurants.

"We understand the gravity of effects that the Corona Virus has or will have on our community especially the hospitality industry. However, we will not bow down to pressure from the Mayor's Office or any group for that matter who covertly is attempting to shut us down."

It didn't take long for Bowser to respond.

"While I recognize that all of us have been stressed beyond our immediate understanding of how coronavirus has so quickly upended our daily lives and personal and business existence — you must comply with the DC Health notice," she tweeted.

"We all have an obligation to do our part to contain the spread of this global pandemic and get to the business of recovery as soon as possible. Until then, your compliance is required, and we will exercise the full force of our MPD, FEMS, DC Health and ABRA and the emergency authority to achieve it."

Bowser first announced new restrictions on restaurants and bars on Sunday. To stem the spread of COVID-19, Bowser ordered nightclubs to close, restaurants to keep tables 6 feet apart, and taverns to suspend bar seating.