The leader of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development says restaurants experienced a 40 percent decline in online reservations in November of this year, compared to the same time last year, before the pandemic. Speaking on Connecticut Public Radio's Where We Live, Commissioner David Lehman noted restaurants are important to the state's economy because they employ more than 100,000 people in the state. In response to suggestions from a group of doctors who urged the governor to close restaurants, Lehman said there is risk in everything, and said that social distancing rules like reduced capacity and space between tables lessens that risk for indoor dining. Restaurant owners are worried about the loss of revenue from outdoor dining during cold winter weather.
Matt Dwyer is an editor, reporter and midday host for Connecticut Public's news department. He produces local news during All Things Considered.