COVID-19 & the Restaurant Industry
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic,1 which indicates "the worldwide spread of a new disease." COVID-19, formerly known as the 2019 novel coronavirus, is a disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus.
The spread of COVID-19 has massively impacted the restaurant and hospitality industry at national and international levels. Some areas of the United States, including New York and Washington State, have already been more greatly affected than others, as governors have issued state-wide directives to close restaurants and bars with exceptions for carry-out and delivery service.
The number of confirmed cases of COVID-192 has continued to rise as testing for the disease becomes more widely available, and it's likely that additional cities and states will temporarily suspend certain operations in an effort to comply with the CDC's March 15 interim guidance3 to "cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 or more" people.
State-by-State Resources
You can also find more information about COVID-19 in the United States by visiting the following resources:
- The CDC: COVID-19 Situation Summary
- WHO: COVID-19 Q&A
- Small Business Administration (SBA): Disaster Assistance Loans
- National Restaurant Association (NRA): Coronavirus Information and Resources
- Food Safety Focus: Coronavirus Readiness in Foodservice & Restaurants
In an effort to ensure our customers in the foodservice industry can find the information and resources they need to respond to this ongoing and rapidly changing situation, we have compiled a list of government websites and available resources for each state.
Alabama
- Alabama Public Health
- Alabama Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network: Disaster Assistance and Business Continuity and small business guidance.
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
- Arkansas Department of Health
- Arkansas Hospitality Association
- Arkansas Small Business Technology Development Center
California
- California Department of Public Health
- California Restaurant Association
- California Hotel & Lodging Association
Colorado
- Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment
- Colorado Restaurant Association
- Colorado Health Emergency Leave with Pay (Colorado "HELP") Rules
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
- Idaho Department of Public Health
- Illinois Restaurant Association COVID-19 Action Alerts
- Chicago Department of Public Health
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
- Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services
- Kentucky Travel Industry Association
- Kentucky Small Business Development Center"
Louisiana
Maine
- Maine Department of Health and Human Services
- Hospitality Maine
- Maine Department of Economic Development
- Maine Small Business Development Center"
Maryland
- Maryland Department of Health
- Maryland Restaurant Association
- Maryland Small Business Development Center
Massachusetts
- Massachusetts Department of Health
- Massachusetts Restaurant Association
- Massachusetts Small Business Development Center"
Michigan
- Michigan Department of Health
- Michigan Restaurant Association
- Michigan Small Business Development Center"
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
- New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
- New Hampshire Lodging & Restaurant Association
New Jersey
New Mexico
- New Mexico Department of Health
- New Mexico Restaurant Association
- New Mexico Small Business Development Center
New York
- New York State Department of Health
- New York State Restaurant Association
- NYC Hospitality Alliance
- New York City Health Department
North Carolina
- North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services
- North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association
North Dakota
- North Dakota Department of Health
- North Dakota Hospitality Association
- North Dakota Small Business Development Center
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania Department of Health
- Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association
- Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington State
- Washington State Department of Health
- Public Health – Seattle & King County
- Washington Hospitality Association
West Virginia
Wisconsin
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services
- Wisconsin Restaurant Association
- Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship – University of Wisconsin System
Wyoming
Resources for Restaurant & Hospitality Employees
Employees in restaurants, hotels, and other foodservice businesses are already experiencing major losses of income due to reduced hours, business closures, and layoffs that could continue for an undetermined amount of time. If you are dealing with the loss of a job or decreased paychecks due to COVID-19, you may qualify for unemployment benefits through your state's Unemployment Insurance program.
Some states have passed or are considering legislation to provide additional relief to employees affected by COVID-19, and you should contact your state's Department of Labor for more information.
Additionally, non-profit organizations serving the restaurant and hospitality industries in your city or state may be offering assistance for restaurants, bars, and their employees through emergency assistance programs, crisis relief funds, and other forms of financial support. You can find more information about these resources below.
- Eater: A List of Relief Funds for Coronavirus-Affected Restaurants, Bars, and Food Service Workers
- Food & Wine: As Coronavirus Shutters Restaurants Across the Country, a Swell of Support for Workers Rises Up
- The Giving Kitchen: COVID-19 Resources & Tips
Resources
- Epidemic, Endemic, Pandemic: What are the Differences? Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. Accessed December 2022.
- United States COVID-19 Cases, Deaths, and Laboratory Testing (RT-PCR) by State, Territory, and Jurisdiction. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed September 2023.
- Guidance for Organizing Large Events and Gatherings. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed December 2022.