Approved June 9, 2020

WHEREAS; the ESRTA believes that a protracted reopening of taverns and restaurants in the state will prolong the loss of income to these businesses and increase their risk of not being able to survive the economic shutdown; and

WHEREAS; the ESRTA has proposed rules for Phase 3 of the reopening process to allow restaurants to expand to opening all of its seating areas, with 75% of its outdoor seated areas and 50% of its bar areas, so long as social distancing is maintained; and

WHEREAS; the ESRTA has further proposed that Phase 4 would include the opening of the remaining portions of seated areas, while non-seated areas would still need to keep social distancing measures in place; provided that tables must be separated to allow for a minimum of 6 feet of distance between patrons seated at different tables, as well as following all other state and federal guidelines; and

WHEREAS; the ESRTA has volunteered that, in return for these provisions, its members would voluntarily take steps to educate customers about the state’s tracing program and use records from employees and customers to help identify where the virus may have spread;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED; that the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce supports the efforts of the Empire State Restaurant & Tavern Association to establish a more accelerated timetable in the reopening process for taverns and restaurants;

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED; that the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce recognizes it is incumbent on all businesses to follow best practices to implement all applicable and appropriate precautions to create safe environments for their employees and customers, and strongly urges all businesses to fulfill that responsibility to the best of their abilities.