Erie County Legislator John Mills has introduced a resolution advocating for New York State to lift restrictions on the struggling bar and restaurant industry in Erie County.

A number of bars and Erie County have challenged the Governor’s Orders in court, leading to a judge’s decision to issue a temporary injunction allowing them to operate under “Yellow Zone” restrictions. Legislator Mills’ resolution supports the recent legal challenge and urges Governor Cuomo to significantly reduce or eliminate the restrictions he has placed on these struggling small businesses. According to the Governor’s own data, restaurants account for just 1.43% of the spread of COVID-19, with 73.84% of cases coming from household spread.

Legislator Mills said, “It is time for Governor Cuomo to lift or reduce the harsh restrictions he has placed on bars and restaurants in Erie County as well as New York State. This has gone on far too long. The data doesn’t lie.  The Office of the Governor released data saying there is a low reported rate of infection coming from restaurants. There is no reason to force unnecessary rules and restrictions on them any longer.”

A copy of the resolution can be viewed here.