St. Louis County Council has passed a resolution urging the country to increase the capacity of restaurants to 50 percent.
The resolution, sponsored by Councilman Mark Harder (R-7th), wants restaurants severely hit by the downturn caused by COVID-19 pandemic, to be allowed to up their capacity from 25 percent, in place since the end of July.
Dozens of restaurants in the county have reportedly shut their doors since the start of the pandemic, and not reopened. The resolution lists 34 establishments the council members say are known to be permanently shuttered, with the Missouri Restaurant Association warning many more may follow, potentially double before the end of the year.
The resolution calls on the County Executive and Department of Public Health to permit the restaurants to allow more people inside their premises and provide other support.
It noted that the restaurant industry employs 10 percent of Missouri's total workforce, which does not include supply chain workers, including farmers, food processers, and paper product suppliers.
“The restaurant industry is a major employer in the county and provides tremendous opportunity for growth and promotion especially for minorities and women. I have heard from industry experts that they need to get to at least 50% capacity to make it financially possible to stay in business”, said Councilman Harder told the St. Louis Record.
He added: "With colder weather coming, the in-door capacity limitations will be even more critical as outdoor dining becomes impractical.
"The speed of the country’s economic recovery will play a large roll in how soon or whether these lost businesses return."
In other council business, Harder, with fellow Republicans Tim Fitch and Ernie Takas, joined by Democrat Rita Heard Days, voted to curtail the powers of Executive Sam Page and the public health department.
Three measures were approved with a final vote due on Oct. 13. Even if passed, they can be vetoed by Page if five votes out of seven are not secured by supporters.
The council voted 4-2 on measures requiring members' approval for any state of emergency or health order extending beyond 15 days.
It approved on a voice vote a bill that would transfer control of $173.5 million in federal funds from the Page administration to the council.