Massachusetts announced several new measures Monday aimed at curbing the statewide surge in coronavirus cases, including limiting certain surgeries and increasing COVID-19 testing capacity.
Gov. Charlie Baker also hinted Monday that more restrictions could be coming soon in order to stop the spread of the virus but it's unclear what kind of restrictions. Restaurants are especially worried that they could be bearing the brunt.
Restaurant owner Laurette Ndukwe says it hasn't been easy. Her Caribbean-Mediterranean fusion restaurant in Framingham is struggling.
“It’s month to month,” she said. “If I’m able to pay rent, I’m happy.”
Shutting down Nzuko, the restaurant Ndukwe has owned for five years, is a possibility.
“I might have to,” she said. “I can’t survive with one-third of what I used to make.”
Ndukwe is fearful more state restrictions -- such as curtailing operating hours even more than they have been -- could be leveled against restaurants as coronavirus cases continue to spike in Massachusetts.
“Every little change puts us at risk of not being able to operate,” said Ndukwe, who also owns Tap Tap in Waltham.
For now, the state has announced it’s dramatically expanding testing across the commonwealth to 110,000 per week, and hospitals will postpone in-patient elective procedures to ensure there’s enough for room for COVID patients.
Further statewide restrictions that the governor hinted at Monday could be imminent, but exactly what is unknown.
Dr. Paul Sax from Brigham and Women’s says there are things that can be done to try and stop the spread of the virus.
“Limit dining indoors as much as possible,” said Dr. Sax. “And maybe even ban it.”
That’s something restaurant owners are especially worried about.
“Then I might have to close,” said Ndukwe of how a ban on indoor dining would affect her restaurant. “That’s what it means.”
