Ann Arbor Times

The Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA) issued a press release stating that recent government orders to close indoor dining service for restaurants and bars may actually increase the number of “super-spreader” COVID-19 events, as people may choose to gather at private residences instead, according to Michigan Capitol Confidential.

In response to rising numbers of COVID-19 cases, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently issued orders that include the closing of indoor dining for food-service establishments from Nov. 18 through Tuesday, Dec. 8, according to Michigan.gov.

The MRLA feels the orders could drive people to gather at private residences and that it would be safer to allow them to dine at food-service establishments, where safety rules can be effectively enforced.

“We were hopeful that eight months into this pandemic, we could collectively recognize that there is an inherent and insatiable desire for humans to congregate, often over food,” Justin Winslow, president and CEO of the MRLA, says in the organization's press release. “Shutting down dine-in service removes the ability to accommodate that natural human desire in a highly regulated, sanitized, capacity-limited and appropriately spaced setting in a restaurant. Instead it will drive that behavior to innumerable residential social gatherings over the holidays, which have already proven to be super-spreader environments.”

The association cites Michigan.gov's Outbreak Reporting, saying that only five COVID-19 investigations involved restaurant patrons, “despite serving millions of Michiganders each day.”

The association also reports that 2,000 Michigan restaurants have closed permanently this year, with 6,000 more in danger of closing if the latest lockdown is prolonged and federal stimulus funds are not immediately made available.