Paso Robles mayor asks governor to allow indoor dining as smoke chokes city
The mayor of Paso Robles on Friday sent a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom urging him to consider temporarily altering COVID-19 restrictions to allow indoor dining after a heat wave and blowing wildfire smoke created hazardous conditions for the city’s restaurants.
San Luis Obispo County — and especially the North County and Paso Robles — have been experiencing a heat wave featuring triple-digit temperatures for more than a week. Paso Robles has broken multiple daily heat records this week, with temperatures climbing as high as 114 degrees.
Then, on Tuesday, smoke from wildfires burning near Salinas and Big Sur began blowing down the coast, blanketing Paso Robles in a smoky haze and creating dangerously unhealthy air. The city continued to suffer from hazardous air quality conditions on Friday with air quality index numbers above 300..
COVID-19 has also hurt the Paso Robles region more than any other in the county. As of Friday, 682 people in the Paso Robles area had tested positive for coronavirus — almost double the number of cases in San Luis Obispo, the next hardest-hit area, according to the county Public Health Department.
“We are in the midst of a crushing heat wave,” Paso Robles Mayor Steve Martin wrote. “There are also over 370 fires throughout the state, creating untold tons of smoke and ash. Together, these are putting the health of millions of Californians at risk. Finding ways to work through this pandemic has been challenging enough; the added challenges from the fires are making it untenable for many.”
Paso Robles restaurants impacted by smoke and heat
The double-whammy of the heat and poor air quality prompted some of the city’s restaurants to close their outdoor dining spaces. County restaurants aren’t currently allowed to serve customers indoors because the area is on the state’s coronavirus watch list.
On Friday, the APCD “strongly recommended” all non-emergency outdoor work in Paso Robles, Atascadero and other North County locations be postponed until air quality improves.
The Hatch Rotisserie and Bar, Street Side Ale House and other downtown Paso Robles restaurants temporarily shifted to providing take-out food only, according to their social media pages.
“Due to apparent hell fire and brimstone ... we’re back to slingin’ comfort food & cocktails TO GO for the next couple nights,” the Hatch wrote on Instagram on Thursday. “The Hatch crew is saying an extremely polite #hellno to working the sidewalk tonight.”
Downtown favorite Fish Gaucho wrote in a Thursday Instagram post that the restaurant remained open, but with extra precautions.
“It’s smoky outside and we are advising guests to wear masks not just when away from their table, but most of the time,” the restaurant wrote. “We are keeping service slim and the staff inside as much as possible. We understand that this is not an ideal situation for dining out, remember that take-out is a great option! We are here to serve you!”
Mayor calls for governor to allow indoor dining
In his letter, Martin explained that dangerous outdoor conditions have taken away one of the only remaining ways restaurants can do business during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Outdoor dining, the only reason many of our restaurants and tasting rooms are able to still hang on, is not healthy in the heat, smoke, and ash-filled haze,” Martin wrote. “If they have no customers, many more California small businesses will fail, and many more Californians will be put out of work.”
Martin urged Newsom to allow indoor dining “on a temporary basis, under the same distancing restrictions as are now in place for outdoor dining” in counties that are on the state’s coronavirus watch list.
“Restaurants tend to have good HVAC systems, with effective filters, and can provide a safer, more comfortable setting than many Californians now have available at home,” Martin wrote. “By this one urgently needed action, you will be promoting individual health, helping businesses survive, and keeping Californians employed.”
This story was originally published August 21, 2020 at 3:23 PM.
