so for more on this change, we're now joined by laurie thomas. she is the executive director of the golden gate restaurant association. laurie thank you so much for joining us this afternoon. you're welcome. thanks for having me, of course, of course. after such an unprecedented year for small businesses, how important is the governor's latest move for restaurants? yeah, well, we're really excited that today they announced the extension of the ability to serve alcohol in the in the park lit areas at a state level and also the to go cocktails. so that sets up the ability for us to continue doing this until there's more permanent legislation hopefully, and how will this actually help restaurants we just talked about, you know. kind of the rough year that they had, but how will this help them in the future going forward? well right well until today's announcement, we weren't sure that we would be able to continue to serve alcohol, wine and beer in our outside dining areas, which we're still trying out of san francisco level to become permanent. that'

london breed: thank you, peter, and i want to recognize laurie thomas from the golden gate restaurant. thank you so much for being here, and i also want to say thank you to the downtown fisherman's wharf, yerba buena, and east court benefit district, the san francisco chamber of commerce, kevin carroll's joining us, s.f. travel, the bar owners association. i think that's you behind that mask. thank you, ben. the directors of all the city departments i mentioned before. also, separately from the city departments i mentioned before, i want to mention the city administrator carmen chiu and the department of public works. i've been wearing a lot of masks during this pandemic. i would say the majority of masks that i wear look like they are very artistic and beautiful, and they usually match my outfits. not as nice as nancy pelosi and the matching of her outfits, but pretty darn close, and the person that makes these masks is an incredible local artist who's really been a fierce advocate for a lot of the programs and the investments that we're making. as a result of her advocacy, what we'r

laurie thomas with the golden gate restaurant association talking with us today to shed light on whathanges are on the way for restaurants. >> we're expecting at least to the 17th maybe through later this month through the end of the month. all employees will be continuing to wear masks, whether they're vaccinated or not. and many of our employees in industry are fully vaccinated and have been for several months. you know, every business has the right to do stricter guidance so some businesses may choose to be asking for proof of vaccination or a negative test. that's their right. and then some businesses may say everybody still needs to be mask inside. that's their right as well. so this is going to be a period of tolerance and trust in the honor system. and we just ask that, you know, everybody find their level of comfort. >> thomas also says that she encourages customers to call restaurants to find out the rules before showing up. she also hopes to folks understand that the pandemic did take a toll on the restaurant industry and that many businesses are still very much short staffe

laurie. thomas with the golden gate restaurant association talked with us here today on what will be changing the most in restaurants. >> we're expecting at least to the 17th maybe through later this month through the end of the month. all employees will be continuing to wear masks, whether they're vaccinated or not. and many of our employees in industry are fully vaccinated and have been for several months. you know, every business has the right to do stricter guidance so some businesses may choose to be asking for proof of vaccination or a negative test. that's their right. and then some businesses may say everybody still needs to be mask inside. that's their right as well. so this is going to be a period of tolerance and trust in the honor system. and we just ask that, you know, everybody find their level of comfort. thomas also says she encourages customers to call restaurant ahead of time to find out the rules before they go. >> and she also hopes that people understand that the pandemic took a

laurie thomas with golden gate restaurant association give us some insight about what's going to happen tomorrow. >> we're expecting at least to the 17th maybe through later this month through the end of the month. all employees will be continuing to wear maskse whether they're vaccinated or not. and many of our employees in industry are fully vaccinated and have been for several months. you know, every business has the right to do stricter guidance so some businesses may choose to be asking for proof of vaccination or a negative test. that's their right. and then some businesses may say everybody still needs to be mask inside. that's their right as well. so this is going to be a period of tolerance and trust in the honor system. and we just ask that, you know, everybody find their level of comfort. >> tolerance, trust system and she left out confusion confusion. yes, you're going to need understanding as we navigate our way through these changing times. >> and of she also encourages customers to packed their patients, bring it with them because a lot don't forget a lot of these restaur

laurie thomas with the golden gate restaurant association, said they need a lot of guidance. moving forward for businesses to open successfully. some restaurants are scrambling to get staff ready and rearrange dining rooms. i personally i'm short 16 chair. there's because we're using our inside chairs outside and nobody can get chairs. i was on the phone with miami today, and they're like it's on a container ship from, you know, god knows where. mayor breed said she is also working to keep park let's an outdoor dining permanent in the city. i'm elissa harrington ktvu, fox two news. fighters now testing its covid-19 vaccine on children. 5 to 11 years old kaiser facilities in oakland and santa clara are taking part in the vaccine trials and more than 4500 children are being tested around the world at 98 different medical facilities does is probably about the one thing that is different, but other than that, in terms of the sign they come in, they get the blood will get they're getting so swap for baseline. get the vaccine. data from the trials could be available by the end of s

so laurie thomas, she's with the golden gate restaurant association. she gave us some insight on to kind of how things may change a bit. >> we're expecting at least to the 17th maybe through later this month through the end of the month. all employees will be continuing to wear masks, whether they're vaccinated or not. and many of our employees in industry are fully vaccinated and have been for several months. you know, every business has the right to do stricter guidance so some businesses may choose to be asking for proof of vaccination or a negative test. that's their right. and then some businesses may say everybody still needs to be mask inside. that's their right as well. so this is going to be a period of tolerance and trust in the honor system. and we just ask that, you know, everybody find their level of comfort. >> so don't ditch the mask. keep it in your pocket because there will be certain circumstances. we'll have to put it on depending on the businesses are going to and also be patient, too. don't forget the pandemic has really hit a lot

if that several laurie thomas with the goal get restaurant association has some insight into what we can expect tomorrow. >> we're expecting at least to the 17th maybe through later this month through the end of the month. all employees will be continuing to wear masks, whether they're vaccinated or not. and many of our employees in industry are fully vaccinated and have been for several months. you know, every business has the right to do stricter guidance so some businesses may choose to be asking for proof of vaccination or a negative test. that's their right. and then some businesses may say everybody still needs to be mask inside. that's their right as well. so this is going to be a period of tolerance and trust in the honor system. and we just ask that, you know, everybody find their level of comfort. >> she also says that customers are encouraged to call restaurant or a business that going find out what their rules are. see understand ahead of time. yes. and also bringing they are little understaffed. a lot of them because they got hit hard by the pandemic, had let some worker

but laurie thomas, who runs a number of restaurants in san francisco, and heads up, the golden gate restaurantssociation, says she needs clarification if what the state says will be the law of the land or if there will be different restrictions on the local level. we hope to hear that we're going to reopen, so we know that the state sets its guidance, and then the city gets to weigh in if they're going to match that or be stricter, and so we're hoping they're going to match that. everyone in the meantime, she's gearing up and looking for staff with outdoor and indoor dining at 100% she and other restaurants are scrambling to get some of the basics in place. i personally i'm short 16 chairs because we're using our inside chairs outside, and nobody can get chairs. i was on the phone with miami today, and they're like, oh, it's on a container ship from you know, god knows where duncan like owns the bar, soda pop pinsky and a number of other businesses in san francisco, he says. he's also hoping that the state and city officials can get on the same page and offer clear guidance on how june 15th wi

in fact, laurie, thomas with the golden gate restaurant association gave us a little bit of insight on what we can expect come june 15th tomorrow. >> we're expecting at least to the 17th maybe through later this month through the end of the month. all employees will be continuing to wear masks, whether they're vaccinated or not. and many of our employees in industry are fully vaccinated and have been for several months. you know, every business has the right to do stricter guidance so some businesses may choose to be asking for proof of vaccination or a negative test. that's their right. and then some businesses may say everybody still needs to be mask inside. that's their right as well. so this is going to be a period of tolerance and trust in the honor system. and we just ask that, you know, everybody find their level of comfort. >> thomas also says that she encourages customers to call restaurants in advance to find out their rules before you head there. and she hopessthat people understand that the pandemic did take a toll on the restaurant industry. in fact, many businesses are st

but laurie thomas, who runs a number of restaurants in san francisco, and heads up the golden gate restaurantsays she needs clarification of what this. state says will be the law of the land or if there will be different restrictions on the local level. we hope to hear that we're going to reopen, so we know that the state sets its guidance and then the city gets to weigh in if they're going to match that, or be stricter, and so we're hoping they're going to match that. in the meantime, she's gearing up and looking for staff with outdoor and indoor dining at 100% she and other restaurants are scrambling to get some of the basics in place. i personally i'm short 16 chairs because we using our inside chairs outside and nobody can get chairs. i was on the phone with miami today, and they're like it's on a container ship from, you know, god knows where. duncan like owns the bar, soda pop, pinsky and a number of other businesses in san francisco, he says. he's also hoping that the state and city officials can get on the same page and offer clear guidance on how june 15th will work. but he says, for

laurie thomas with the golden gate restaurant association, said they need a lot of guidance.g forward for businesses to open successfully. some restaurants are scrambling to get staff ready and rearrange dining rooms. i personally i'm short 16 check. there's because we're using our inside chairs outside and nobody can get chairs. i was on the phone with miami today, and they're like it's on a container ship from, you know, god knows where. mayor breed said she is also working to keep park. let's an outdoor dining permanent in the city. i'm elissa harrington ktvu, fox two news. live shows are returning to las vegas, and the performers say they are more than ready. circus soleil is going to start live unrestricted performances in sin city on july 1st, but it's not just big performances that are returning casino tables are filled arenas are packed and niche business conventions are brimming with why i tourists. was certainly concerned, and i think everybody in our industry was, you know, we didn't know how people would react. people would feel comfortable going out again sitting

but laurie thomas, who runs a number of restaurants in san francisco, and heads up, the golden gate restaurant association, says she needs clarification if what the state says will be the law of the land or if there will be different restrictions on the local level. we hope to hear that we're going to reopen, so we know that the state sets its guidance, and then the city gets to weigh in if they're going to match that or be stricter, and so we're hoping they're going to match that. in the meantime, she's gearing up and looking for staff without door and indoor dining at 100% she and other restaurants are scrambling to get some of the basics in place. i personally i'm short 16 chairs because we're using our inside chairs outside and nobody can get chairs. i was on the phone with miami today, and they're like it's on a container ship from, you know, god knows where duncan like owns the bar, soda pop, pinsky and a number of other businesses in san francisco, he says. he's also hoping that the state and city officials can get on the same page and offer clear guidance on june, 15th will work. but h

london breed: thank you, peter, and i want to recognize laurie thomas from the golden gate restaurant association. thank you so much for being here, and i also want to say thank you to the downtown fisherman's wharf, yerba buena, and east court benefit district, the san francisco chamber of commerce, kevin carroll's joining us, s.f. travel, the bar owners association. i think that's you behind that mask. thank you, ben. the directors of all the city departments i mentioned before. also, separately from the city departments i mentioned before, i want to mention the city administrator carmen chiu and the department of public works. i've been wearing a lot of masks during this pandemic. i would say the majority of masks that i wear look like they are very artistic and beautiful, and they usually match my outfits. not as nice as nancy pelosi and the matching of her outfits, but pretty darn close, and the person that makes these masks is an incredible local artist who's really been a fierce advocate for a lot of the programs and the investments that we're making. as a result of her advocac

san francisco are feeling about the relaxed rules and what you can expect when you go out to eat laurie thomas talk little bit about all the changes coming our way worry the last 18 months. i know have been quite a roller coaster for restaurant owners, including yourself. how are you feeling heading into this week. well, thank you for having everybody. i'm talking to is is super excited to try to go back to 100% indoor dining capacity and start to see these mask go away and hopefully return to a new normal. >> well, right now. i know customers are asked to wear masks when not eating or drinking as they walk to the restroom, things like that. >> what are you hearing from restaurant owners within the golden gate restaurant association or most of them ready to to do away with all of these rules. yeah. done or informal poll over the past 24 hours of of many of our members, most of on our board. and so these are long time restaurant owners with multiple locations in the city. >> and i should say, for full disclosure. i have 2 restaurants myself and what basically everybody i've spoken to. it's goin

london breed: thank you, peter, and i want to recognize laurie thomas from the golden gate restauranth for being here, and i also want to say thank you to the downtown fisherman's wharf, yerba buena, and east court benefit district, the san francisco chamber of commerce, kevin carroll's joining us, s.f. travel, the bar owners association. i think that's you behind that mask. thank you, ben. the directors of all the city departments i mentioned before. also, separately from the city departments i mentioned before, i want to mention the city administrator carmen chiu and the department of public works. i've been wearing a lot of masks during this pandemic. i would say the majority of masks that i wear look like they are very artistic and beautiful, and they usually match my outfits. not as nice as nancy pelosi and the matching of her outfits, but pretty darn close, and the person that makes these masks is an incredible local artist who's really been a fierce advocate for a lot of the programs and the investments that we're making. as a result of her advocacy, what we're doing in her bud

london breed: thank you, peter, and i want to recognize laurie thomas from the golden gate restauranttion. thank you so much for being here, and i also want to say thank you to the downtown fisherman's wharf, yerba buena, and east court benefit district, the san francisco chamber of commerce, kevin carroll's joining us, s.f. travel, the bar owners association. i think that's you behind that mask. thank you, ben. the directors of all the city departments i mentioned before. also, separately from the city departments i mentioned before, i want to mention the city administrator carmen chiu and the department of public works. i've been wearing a lot of masks during this pandemic. i would say the majority of masks that i wear look like they are very artistic and beautiful, and they usually match my outfits. not as nice as nancy pelosi and the matching of her outfits, but pretty darn close, and the person that makes these masks is an incredible local artist who's really been a fierce advocate for a lot of the programs and the investments that we're making. as a result of her advocacy, what

my name is laurie thomas, and i'm calling in today as a restaurant owner of two restaurants in san francisco that use these delivery apps, and i think what's super important here is to take a look at what the legislation actually says. it does not say it's a total cap on 15% as mr. hepner clearly pointed out and we worked with him onto tell the ratity from a restaurant -- reality on from a restaurant perspective. it allows 15% for the restaurant commission, and it -- what we're asking for here is clear and transparent contact language that doesn't confuse restaurant owners particularly in communities where english is not a first language. we cannot afford gaps and changes and spikes in these commission rates in places with expanding contracts. thank you. >> clerk: thank you for your comments. mr. smith, could you connect us to the next caller, please. >> hi, everyone. my name is brian, and i'm a restaurant owner in the mission district, and i'm calling in favor of the commission cap. there's a lot of misinformation, and it saddens me to see that people seem to be buying into the marketing of

my name is laurie thomas, and i'm calling in today as a restaurant owner of two restaurants in san francisco that use these delivery apps, and i think what's super important here is to take a look at what the legislation actually says. it does not say it's a total cap on 15% as mr. hepner clearly pointed out and we worked with him onto tell the ratity from a restaurant -- reality on from a restaurant perspective. it allows 15% for the restaurant commission, and it -- what we're asking for here is clear and transparent contact language that doesn't confuse restaurant owners particularly in communities where english is not a first language. we cannot afford gaps and changes and spikes in these commission rates in places with expanding contracts. thank you. >> clerk: thank you for your comments. mr. smith, could you connect us to the next caller, please. >> hi, everyone. my name is brian, and i'm a restaurant owner in the mission district, and i'm calling in favor of the commission cap. there's a lot of misinformation, and it saddens me to see that people seem to be buying into the marketing of