East Wake Times

Restaurant and hotel operators asked North Carolina lawmakers for financial aid and tax relief to combat the negative impacts that travel restrictions have had on their businesses, which has resulted in approximately 370,000 employees losing their jobs since mid-March. 

Amber Moshakos, with the Raleigh-based LM Restaurants, said during the video conference meeting with the State House Committee that the funding is weeks away but restaurant owners need help now, according to WCTI12.com, and ABC affiliate, on April 1.

“The funding is weeks away and North Carolina businesses, we need help now,” Moshakos said, the site reported.

The 21 LM-owned restaurants, located in North Carolina, employs more than 1,700 workers, according to Moshakos, and many of the employees are struggling.

Moshakos told the Statehouse committee, according to the report, that reducing the workforce to less than 100 hurts the employees who are told to stay home. The 100-worker limit was imposed in a statewide order restricting restaurants to takeout and delivery.

Moshakos told the State House members that she is in a rough spot. 

“I’m being faced with the decision of do I continue to pay this small little group (of workers) that I have remaining, or do I pay my tax obligations to the state,” Moshakos said, according to the report.

According to the CDC, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for some people. These symptoms include fever and a cough, and shortness of breath. The CDC says that these symptoms sometimes clear up in two or three weeks. However, for elderly adults and people who exhibit existing health issues, the coronavirus can cause pneumonia and/or death.

As of April 9, 3,651 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 in 91 counties and 65 deaths, according to the state's Department of Health and Human Services.