12/29/2020
Let’s keep it real and keep outdoor dining. Please sign.
Open Letter to Marin County Health
Dr. Willis and Marin Supervisors:
As January 4th approaches, we understand that you will make complex Health based decisions for the best direction of Marin County businesses and for all of Marin County residents. Many of us believe that the recent outdoor dining shutdown has removed the safest social outlet possible and in turn driven people indoors more frequently to meet. As an owner/ operator of three restaurants in Mill Valley, I’ve been informed many times that this is happening. In fact, I have been invited to such activities. It is not hard to imagine that this shift is not helping to slow the virus spread but that it has accelerated it by forcing people to gather inside.
This is not mentioning the hardship for those not violating the gathering at home rules, who would simply like to enjoy the safe and healthy benefits of eating outdoors by themselves or with their households.
I will further stress that although we keep as much staff on as possible the inevitable reduced wages for our staff has been a real life hardship for them and their families.
I hope you will consider lifting the ban for outdoor dining in the first week of January 2021. If you choose not to end the ban, please detail your reasoning without combining safe distance outdoor dining with indoor dining and bars.
The restaurant industry has been able to make many adjustments during the last 10 months and continuing to keep our customers safe is simply what we do best. Please don’t lose faith in our capabilities now.
I have also signed the petition "Marin County Public Health & Board of Supervisors: Reverse the Ban on Outdoor Dining in Marin" initiated by fellow restaurateur Dustin Sullivan, owner of Guesthouse.
http://chng.it/VRQvn6whv8
I encourage all to read it, sign and forward it. Let’s be smart with our policies and stay safe together.
Thank you!
Ged Robertson
Watershed Restaurant - Shoreline Coffee Shop - Bootjack Wood Fired
http://chng.it/VRQvn6whv8
Reverse the Ban on Outdoor Dining in Marin