Businesses, authorities navigate unique New Year's Eve in pandemic

2020 has been difficult and draining for many. Restaurants and bars have taken a major hit during the pandemic, but places like Cantina 18 in Cameron Village are working with what they can to get by, and like many, are hoping for a better run in 2021.

“We’re definitely a little slower, and with the curfew, it’s going to be tough," said owner Jason Smith. "But we’ve had a lot of positives. To-go business has been good. The cocktails to-go have been a plus, and I’ve seen an upsale in business because of that.”

This year, there are no large New Year’s Eve events, and bars and restaurants must close early due to a curfew in place to help slow the spread of coronavirus.

Hopes and dreams for 2021 look also much different.

“I’m looking forward to a vaccine so that we can all go back to being normal human beings again," said diner Heath Chapman.

A possible positive effect of the curfew is less traffic on the roads late at night on New Year's Eve. The State Highway Patrol hopes that means fewer tragedies as people ring in the new year.

"We don’t kick off 2021 in a positive note by being in the hospital or being involved in a serious collision that could hurt them or someone else," Highway Patrol Sgt. Chris Knox said. "So we want everyone to celebrate responsibly this evening.”

Knox said the worst nights for impaired driving are New Year's Eve, after the Super Bowl and Thanksgiving.

With many people celebrating at home this year, troopers are hoping they won’t have as many calls to respond to, he said.