SCRLA asks Governor McMaster to remove the "11 pm Last Call" Order

For the past 10 months restaurants have suffered tremendously, with the National Restaurant Association estimating more than $240 billion lost in sales by the end of the year.

The South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (SCRLA) respectfully requests Governor McMaster to lift the 11:00 p.m. Last Call Order based on a recent report from New York State's contact tracing data. The data shows nearly 74% of COVID cases are the result of transmission in households or social gatherings, while restaurants only account for 1.4%.

We continue to support aggressive steps to protect our state’s public health, but there is an unfounded impression that restaurants are part of the problem. Restaurants provide a safe environment, adhering to Restaurant Reopening Guidelines set forth by AccelerateSC and public health officials. Our industry is suffering as a result of inconsistent, restrictive mandates— which includes Governor McMaster’s 11:00 p.m. Last Call Order.

Governor McMaster can make a difference by restoring full operating hours for restaurants and hotels to serve guests safely. 

The hospitality industry values guest, staff and vendor safety; there is no conclusive data showing that restaurants cannot operate safely when exercising DHEC guidance and CDC protocols.

Taking this new compelling data into consideration, we beseech Governor McMaster and DHEC Acting Director Marshall Taylor to implement the same level of thorough contact tracing protocols. Our livelihoods are at stake, as Leisure and Hospitality has been the hardest hit industry, with current employment levels being at 83% of what they were in February.

The SCRLA in partnership with the National Restaurant Association and other state restaurant associations recently conducted a restaurant business conditions survey with 6,000 restaurant operators across the nation. The survey found:

• Consumer spending in South Carolina restaurants remained well below normal levels in October. 81% of South Carolina restaurant operators say their total dollar sales volume in October was lower than it was in October 2019.
• 65% of South Carolina restaurant operators do not expect business conditions to improve in the coming months.
• Even though sales were significantly lower for most restaurants, it doesn’t mean their costs also fell proportionally. 63% of South Carolina operators say their restaurant’s total labor costs (as a percent of sales) are higher than they were prior to the COVID-19 outbreak.
• 18% of South Carolina operators say they are considering temporarily closing their restaurant until the COVID-19 pandemic passes.
• Only 8% of operators expect their staffing levels will rise during the next 3 months.

New Year’s Eve for hospitality is the equivalent to Black Friday for retail. Don’t let the South Carolina hospitality industry continue to suffer by denying them one of the most profitable nights of the year. We implore Governor McMaster to lift the 11:00 p.m. Last Call Order prior to New Year’s Eve so our hospitality industry may have a glimmer of hope going into 2021.