The decline in the restaurant and hotel sector due to the coronavirus begins to impact the pockets of Latinos
Iveth Montoya, who owns a restaurant, has seen her business decline for two weeks because of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
He indicates that his business, El Pollo Peruano, south of Los Angeles, primarily serves the industrial area that covers Carson, Torrance, Wilmington, San Pedro and surrounding areas.
"I started to see (the diners) going down at lunch," said Montoya, whose family business has six employees and a capacity for 60 people.
"In the second week a client came and told me that the cargo from the port (in Los Angeles) was in quarantine and they had been rested and that was why they were not arriving (to eat)."
The consequences began to be seen not only in the decline in sales in his business of up to 60%, but Montoya says that he has had to alternate the hours of his employees.
"I took four days from some and rested one," he said. "Right now (Sunday) there is only me and an employee and there are no (customers) in the restaurant."
She expressed concern about her employees who are losing jobs but said she cannot pay them if the business is not making a profit.
"We were promoting the option of bringing food to the houses so that I could leave another employee even as a 'delivery guy' but we did not receive orders," explained the owner of the place.
For her part, Vicky Beza, who works as a receptionist at the Westin Bonaventure hotel in downtown Los Angeles, said the pandemic is affecting them.
"When we are at (maximum) capacity we fill more than 1,300 rooms and right now we only have about 200 reservations," said the woman who has been in that job for more than seven years.
He indicated that when the hotel fills up, they have up to 100 maids but that this weekend they only had about 30.
"Luckily we have the support of the union to keep us informed in case we have to ask for unemployment," he said.
He said that in his position he has been affected but by his own decision. She explains that employees with seniority, or seniority – like her – can keep their 40 hours of employment, but Beza decided to share her hours with other employees who also need the job.
"Our colleagues here are our second family and if someone needs (hours) right now we give them (ours) but I don't know, maybe tomorrow it will be my turn (the cut)", said the 32-year-old employee.
A grocery store employee, who asked to be identified by her first name only, said they have been given more hours this weekend than the store is out of supply. However, there are rumors that everything could change overnight.
"This week they gave me 10 more hours (of work) but from tomorrow we are not sure what will happen," said Erica.
The 24-year-old, who is a single mother, said she was concerned that in early March she moved with her parents and two brothers to a house where the rent is more than $ 2,000 and they should have the money on hand to avoid a eviction.
Recommendations and precautions
California Governor Gavin Newsom said Sunday that although some people have suggested closing all restaurants temporarily, he does not believe this is necessary.
"(We ask) to cut capacity in restaurants in half and require that there be social distancing among customers," the governor said at a press conference.
“Not everyone has access to the kitchen and / or can cook their own food. We want to expand those options of having food shipped to them. ”
Last Thursday, the Governor also issued an executive order to confront the COVID-19 pandemic without seriously affecting the pockets of working families.
This includes removing the one-week waiting period for people who are unemployed and / or disabled as a result of COVID-19 and delaying the deadline for filing state taxes by 60 days for individuals and businesses that cannot file on time. due to compliance with public health requirements related to COVID-19 filings.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains that businesses can continue to be open and maintain their routine environmental cleanup, which includes cleaning all frequently touched surfaces in the workplace, such as counter tops and door knobs.
“Use the cleaning agents that are generally used in these areas. Provide disposable wipes so employees can clean commonly used surfaces before each use. ”
What protects you?
Workers who have suffered a cut in hours can visit the website of the Workforce Development and Employment Agency to review what benefits are available. For example;
If you are unable to work because you are caring for a sick or quarantined relative with COVID-19, you may qualify for Paid Family Leave (PFL).
If you are unable to work due to medical quarantine or illness, you may qualify for Disability Insurance.
If you lost your job or had your hours reduced for reasons related to the coronavirus, you can partially recover your salary by filing an unemployment insurance claim.
If a worker or family member is ill or is receiving preventive care when civil authorities recommend quarantine, workers can use cumulative sick leave in accordance with the law.
If you are unable to do your regular job because you were exposed and contracted COVID-19 during the regular course of your employment, you may be eligible for workers' compensation benefits.
For more information visit: labor.ca.gov/Coronavirus2019/
