Injunctions Against Montgomery County Filed Over Restaurant Restrictions
The Restaurant Association of Maryland (RAM) held a press conference today outside of their headquarters in Columbia, MD announcing that they have filed requests for temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions against Montgomery County, Prince George’s County and Baltimore City, with the goal of having indoor and outdoor dining restored as soon as possible.
Among those speaking at the press conference were RAM CEO Marshall Weston Jr, Duck Duck Goose owner Ashish Alfred, and Lynn Martins from Siebel’s in Burtonsville.
Weston stated that restaurants in Maryland have been severely impacted and over 100,000 are still laid off or furloughed based on restrictions. He said 45% of restaurants said they would close permanently unless they receive a substantial relief package. He emphasized that restaurants cannot survive on carryout alone, they must able to accommodate indoor, outdoor and carryout. “Two of the three legs have been taken away from stool.”
Weston went on to say that “Governor Hogan has indicated that there is no data or evidence that he or his team has seen that warrants the closure.
Twenty other jurisdictions in Maryland have agreed with the Governor” and that there is “No evidence linking the spread of COVID to restaurants and that relying on the potential to spread is not evidence.”
They are asking for the judges to “rule in the favor of restaurants and employees”.