Some Mexico City restaurants reopen defying pandemic rules

MEXICO CITY (AP) — More than three weeks into Mexico City’s second pandemic shutdown some restaurants ignored official warnings and opened with limited seating Monday under the slogan “Open or Die.”

This second shutdown has been even more painful for restaurant owners and their staffs. Ten months into the country’s epidemic they have already burned through savings, renegotiated leases and reduced employee hours, all the while operating at a loss.

They had regained some footing by fall as a wary public gained a degree of comfort with eating out in reduced-capacity restaurants. But the forecast winter climb in infections hit just as people lowered their guard and in many cases attended gatherings during the holiday season.

Now employers have fewer options beyond laying off workers, and a drive down almost any street displays shuttered storefronts and for rent signs.

“We’re at the limit,” said restaurateur Giulliano Lopresti, who reopened his Argentine restaurant Quebracho on Monday. “Not having certainty to operate during the ‘red light’ (restriction phase) is condemning businesses, the restaurants to close.”

The Mexican government has not provided assistance to small businesses like in the United States. Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum has touted a one-month reprieve on payroll taxes, but Lopresti said that is the one area that least worries employers.

There has been no break on social security payments for workers and he doesn’t want to leave his employees without insurance. Multiple owners said the government-owned electric utility has been worse than ever to work with, closing its offices and making it nearly impossible to contest exorbitant electric bills.

In mid-December, faced with filling hospitals, Mexico City returned to its red alert,...