East Hampton officials want to ban motels from opening to out-of-towners

East Hampton town officials have asked the state government to bar local motels from booking rooms to out-of-towners over concerns of a coronavirus surge, according to the Southampton Press. Some motels are gearing up for visitors, but owners of others have said there’s not much business to be had. Some owners say they’re facing financial hardships and hope to eek by with what business they do attract. The East Hampton Town Board wrote in a letter to the Gov. Andrew Cuomo that the state’s guidance is inconsistent — it both lists motels as essential businesses, but also advises local governments to shutter any attractions that could bring in non-locals. [Southampton Press]