SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- Saturday was a picturesque day in San Diego with many people enjoying outdoor dining, but the opportunity is slipping away due to Governor Gavin Newsom’s new stay-at-home orders.
“We have a really close community of workers here, and to see it shut down again is really sad,” Abby Pekary said.
Pekary has been welcoming guests into Little Italy’s Nonna for more than two years. By Monday, she could be out of a job due to Newsom’s new orders.
Pekary is a full-time student at San Diego State University, hostessing to save up to eventually move out of her parent’s house.
Her latest obstacle from the state is Newsom’s regional shutdown order, limiting restaurants to takeout or delivery only. The order also forces bars and wineries to close amid COVID-19.
“I had a couple people who during the first shutdown they actually moved back to Bay Area because they were living here and just because they were out of a job they had to live with their families,” Pekary added.
Unlike the first shutdown in March of 2020, there is no federal stimulus to cushion the fall. Restaurants and employees are left to fend for themselves under the new order. “Of course we're still open for takeout, so if you want to do that, that's always an option for ya.”
Restaurants say there likely aren’t enough takers to keep jobs, or at least hours, from being cut.
