’It sucks; we’re going broke.’ Tucson businesses react to news of potential curfew

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TUCSON, Arizona (KOLD News 13) – On Monday November 30th, Tucson Mayor Regina Romero announced a potential curfew at 8 p.m. to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.

The Mayor and Council will vote on the decision at an emergency meeting on Tuesday 1st December. The curfew would go into effect at 8 p.m. that night and, with certain exceptions, last until 5 a.m. It should last until December 22nd.

• During the specified times, this curfew would prohibit any person from using, standing, sitting, traveling or staying on public roads or in a public place, including for the purpose of travel, with the following exceptions:
• All law enforcement agencies, fire fighters, paramedics or other medical personnel and any other emergency personnel;
• People traveling directly to and from work; Attending church services; Commercial transportation and delivery services; Caring for a family member, friend, or animal; Patronizing or operating a business that is an essential function; seek medical help or flee dangerous circumstances; participate in essential activities; and travel for any of the above services or purposes;
• People who are involved in essential functions or who travel to perform or maintain essential functions; and
• Homeless people.

“It is my responsibility to help protect the health, well-being and safety of Tucson residents,” Mayor Romero said at a press conference on Monday.

The mayor’s curfew wouldn’t require businesses to close, but it does encourage people to be out during curfew or earlier. It also encourages people to just stay home. There is a grace period for those going home or leaving a restaurant and they are not quoted.

For those that open late, like the Buffett Bar, this isn’t welcome news.

“I think we’ll probably close again. We don’t make money as it is, and cutting half the money we make is… uh, ”said bar manager Allan Bartels.

The bar only recently reopened on Nov. 13 after it finally got the go-ahead from the Pima County Health Department. Since then, sales have been declining around the clock, according to Bartels.

“Probably about a quarter during the day and a half night.”

Bartels says they received the paycheck protection program loan, but that has expired. So you would need more help staying afloat. Romero said she asked the council to consider additional economic facilitation, use the resources of the CARES Act, and encourage other leaders to follow suit.

“I hope Governor (Doug) Ducey and Congress act as soon as possible to give our country additional economic relief,” said Romero.

Still, there is trouble among businesses within the city limits as the curfew in Pima County is 10pm. It feels unfair to Bartels and Buffett.

“To close 8 but then leave all the bars in Pima County open after 8 is going to kill us,” Bartels said.

Romero said she is asking Pima County’s board of directors to reduce her time to 8 p.m. as well, but there is still no official word on it.

Right now, companies are counting the hours until this potential curfew begins, hoping it won’t be their last.

“This bar has been around for 87 years, it will still exist, but in which form I don’t know,” says Bartels.

Copyright 2020 KOLD News 13. All rights reserved.

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