Curfew Lift A 'Welcome Change,' But Restaurant Woes Far From Over

MEDFORD, MA — Restaurants across the state, including in Medford, will be able to stay open beyond 9:30 p.m. starting Jan. 25. The curfew was lifted this week by Gov. Charlie Baker, as he said the number of positive test cases, test rates and coronavirus hospitalizations are "all trending in the right direction."

Steve Clark, director of Government Affairs for the Mass. Restaurant Association, called the move a "welcome change" for the state's embattled hospitality industry.

"The 9:30 curfew was preventing restaurants from having the ability to get a second seating, which is a significant source of business, especially on Thursday, Friday and Saturday," Clark told Patch. "I know there are a number of places that were forced to lay off staff as a result of the 9:30 curfew. This is a welcome change, and we look forward to the continued easing of restrictions.

But Jonathan Post, owner of The Porch Southern Fare & Juke Joint in Medford, said ending the curfew will have little impact on his business, which is open solely for takeout and delivery on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

"More important is the 25 percent seating capacity," Post said. "We could stay open 24 hours a day, but if we aren't permitted to seat people, it does no good. Also, consumer confidence is still low. People are still wary of eating indoors."

Post criticized the governor for "vilifying restaurants" over the past year as transmission hubs for the coronavirus.

"Now restaurants are experiencing the result of that," he said.

Clark agreed that data points away from restaurants as a source of case spikes.

"It is a convenient talking point, but the scientific evidence does not back it up," Clark told Patch.

In addition to lifted restrictions for restaurants, the governor announced lifted restrictions for health clubs, arcades, indoor and outdoor events, movie theaters, liquor stores and cannabis shops. However, the 25 percent capacity limit on most businesses will continue until at least Feb. 8.

"We believe that it's time and OK to start a gradual easing of restrictions," Baker said at a Thursday news conference announcing a new round of small business grants.

While COVID-19 numbers have improved recently, they are still significantly higher than when the stay-at-home advisory was instituted in the late fall. State health officials on Wednesday announced 3,987 new cases and 78 more deaths. There were 2,209 COVID-19 patients hospitalized, with 444 in intensive care.