The restaurant industry across the country continues to be battered by the coronavirus pandemic. Many have had to cut staff and furlough employees. Many places have announced they’ll close their doors temporarily and some have said they’ll shut down for good as a result.
According to the O.C. Register, The California Restaurant Association sent a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom several weeks ago stating 30,000 restaurants across the state could experience the same fate due to the regulations only allowing curbside and take-out sales. Some states, like Georgia and West Virginia, are moving to reopen the economy. That includes restaurants, but many owners and public health officials are conflicted about the decision. It’s hard to imagine local restaurants reopening to the public any time soon, as cases in L.A. and California continue to grow. So what does a realistic time frame look like? What’s being done to support businesses? And how are owners and workers continuing to adjust to cope with the unprecedented hit?
Today on AirTalk, we check back in on the restaurant industry. Do you operate a restaurant or do you work in the industry? Call in and tell us how it’s going at this point: 866-893-5722.
Guest:
Charles Lew, Los Angeles-based lawyer and Small Business Commissioner for Los Angeles City; he tweets