New York City could lose half of bars and restaurants to coronavirus top official warns
Closures could see loss of 150,000 jobs according to audit
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Your support makes all the difference.New York City could see up to half its restaurants and bars close permanently in the next six months because of the coronavirus pandemic, a top state official warned.
A shocking new report says that could cost the city up to 150,000 jobs in an industry rocked by the economic fallout of Covid-19 and public health restrictions.
The devastating news was revealed in an audit made public by the state’s comptroller Thomas DiNapoli on Thursday.
Restaurants have been seating customers outside for months and indoor dining only returned on Wednesday, but at 25 per cent of capacity.
Mr DiNapoli’s report states that in 2019 the industry was responsible for employing 317,800 people, paid out $10.7 billion in wages and accounted for $27 billion in taxable sales.
“The industry is challenging under the best of circumstances, and many eateries operate on tight margins,” said Mr DiNapoli.
“Now they face an unprecedented upheaval that may cause many establishments to close forever.”
The report also states that at the height of the pandemic three-quarters of those employed in the industry found themselves out of work.
“It’s important that the state and city continue to be creative and bolster the industry,” said DiNapoli.
“The city’s decision to extend outdoor dining year-round to help keep restaurants afloat is a step in the right direction along with opening for indoor dining.”
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