Legislator Lorigo pushes to lift curfew forced on Erie County bars and restaurants

Modified: March 24, 2021 10:39am

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Wednesday, March 24, 2021

Erie County Legislator Joe Lorigo is urging the Governor to lift the 11 p.m. curfew on bars and restaurants through Erie County.

Last week, the Governor announced that casinos, gyms, pool halls and bowling alleys will no longer have to adhere to the curfew established under COVID-19 restrictions as of April 5th.  Bars and restaurants throughout the County have dealt with forced closures and restrictions over the past year, despite little evidence that the risk of COVID-19 transmission is higher after a certain time of day or night.  Members of the New York State Senate and Assembly Minority Conferences recently announced their effort to have the curfew lifted, citing a lack of scientific basis and the need to get bars and restaurant owners back on their feet.

Legislator Lorigo said, “The curfew is arbitrary. It’s ridiculous to say that a gym or bowling alley can be open later than 11 p.m. but bars and restaurants can’t. At this point, there isn’t nearly enough evidence to support these excessive restrictions. The bar and restaurant industry has suffered enough this past year and it’s time to get them back open.”