COVID-19 Resources for the Restaurant Industry

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:

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

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington State

West Virginia

Wisconsin

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.

Resources

  1. Epidemic, Endemic, Pandemic: What are the Differences? Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. Accessed December 2022.
  2. 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.
  3. Guidance for Organizing Large Events and Gatherings. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed December 2022.