Many Orange County businesses closing early, not opening for New Year’s Eve due to pandemic

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — It’s no secret that 2020 has been a challenging year for restaurant and bar owners in Central Florida.

But here in Orange County, some local businesses say they’re not planning on throwing big celebrations tonight to make up for it.

Many business owners in Orange County plan on keeping normal business hours or simply keeping doors closed to avoid attracting too many people.

READ: Florida sets new single day COVID-19 record with 17,000 new cases

“We’re not staying open late tonight, we’re going to only stay open until our normal hours,” said Monica McCown, owner of Artisan’s Table. “We’re not interested in having a party atmosphere.”

U Roll Sushi will close its Pine Street location for the holiday.

“We don’t want any of our customers to get sick, to get the virus, and our staff (neither),” co-owner Guide said. “That’s actually more important to me with or without the county coming in.”

READ: Here’s where to safely watch New Year’s Eve fireworks in Central Florida to ring in 2021

The Orange County Strike Team and Orlando Police Department said they’ll be out looking for people not socially distancing, not wearing masks and businesses not following the rules.

This year, the Strike Team has issued 66 warnings and 15 citations.

READ: New Year’s Day superstitions: Don’t wash those clothes; look for a tall, dark, stranger; eat greens

Cox Media Group