Some think pandemic made stressful industry less desirable By Dan Schere |
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Photo courtesy of Jennifer Meltzer
As Montgomery County prepares to allow dining rooms in restaurants to open at full capacity for the first time in more than a year, restaurateurs are struggling to hire back workers. Some think the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated problems in a profession that was already stressful.
The county is set to lift most restrictions at 6 a.m. on May 28 two weeks after 50% of residents received their full dosage of the COVID-19 vaccine. At that point, the county will be following the state’s guidance, which means restaurants can open fully due to Gov. Larry Hogan lifting all dining restrictions on May 15.
Photo from Google Street View
The popular Italian restaurant Olazzo is closing its downtown Silver Spring location at 8235 Georgia Ave. this weekend.
Olazzo posted on its Facebook page Wednesday that the Silver Spring location would be closing after 15 years, and that this would be the last week of service.
“It was always a dream of ours to bring our passion and hospitality to the area. Words cannot describe how appreciative we are to the community for allowing us to operate for 15 great years, but it’s time for us to focus on other pursuits and dedicate our passions evenly,” the post stated.
UPDATED: Judge upholds Montgomery County indoor dining shutdown, for now
Another court hearing likely to explore issue further By Dan Schere |
December 26, 2020
This story was updated at 11:55 p.m. on Dec. 23, 2020, to add additional comments from Judge James Bonifant, County Executive Marc Elrich, Marshall Weston and attorneys from each side in the case. It was updated again at 3:25 p.m. on Dec. 24, 2020, to add comments from restaurateurs and medical experts who testified in the hearing.
A Montgomery County Circuit Court judge on Wednesday night upheld the county’s ban on indoor dining during the COVID-19 pandemic rejecting a request by dozens of county restaurateurs to grant a temporary restraining order and injunction.