BUFFALO, N.Y. — As the coronavirus and the delta variant continues to impact Western New York, state officials are asking the public to help stop the spread.

What You Need To Know

  • Governor Cuomo suggests a vaccine-only policy for businesses, restaurants and bars
  • The policy would mean only those who can show proof of being fully vaccinated can enter the establishments
  • Some restaurant managers are not sure this would be the best move for them because they believe it may decrease their business
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Governor Cuomo on Monday urged restaurant and bar owners to follow a vaccinated-only admission policy to help contain the virus.

Restaurant managers are skeptical of Gov. Cuomo’s suggestion to go to vaccine-only admissions. Todd Burdick, general manager of Jim’s Steakout on Allen Street, says businesses have been struggling.

"For over a year, through this whole pandemic,” Burdick said. “And if we go that route, there are certain people that don’t want to be vaccinated right now. That’s just going to take money away and it’s going to kill businesses.”

He says business at Jim’s Steakout just started to come back after New York reopened. He says they can’t really afford take a step backward. 

"I think that if he recommends this and business owners go through with it, it’s probably going to take 33% to 40% of the business away," Burdick said.

Jeff Feather, the manager at Duff’s Famous Wings in Amherst, planned on opening up the restaurant to 100% by Labor Day — but now that might not happen. He believes it’s feasible to only allow those who are vaccinated in the establishment, but it would be unfortunate to do so. 

"I mean we’re still not up to 100%,” Feather said. “Obviously you see can right around here I have some table spots where there used to be tables, that I don’t have tables right now. I was shooting for after Labor Day, when I hopefully was going to get 100% in the restaurant back.”

Managers say they will have to adapt to any new guidance that comes their way. Burdick believes the best way to fight the virus is to bring mask-wearing back.

"We’ve been masking,” Burdick said. “Even some of the people here that are vaccinated that work here have the option whether or not to wear a mask when they’re working. Some still choose to wear it because the vaccine is not 100%. You can still catch the virus. You can still spread it even if you’re vaccinated.”

Feather agrees, saying that would be a good option before limiting people going out.

"I’d be OK doing that,” he said. “If that’s what it comes to, that’s what it comes to. I had the Plexiglas partitions between tables, we got rid of those. If we have to throw those up, that’s fine. We just threw them in storage because we were able to.”

Governor Cuomo says vaccine-only policies are in businesses’ best interest, and have been successful in places like Radio City Hall.