As medical experts across the globe hurry in search for a cure for COVID-19, governments are taking extreme measures, like recommending restaurants to be closed down, to curb the spread.
Schools and universities have closed, supermarkets have sold out of many goods, businesses have shut down and many employees across different fields have been laid off.
Though restaurants have not yet been subject to government-mandated closures, they’ve taken on some of the biggest setbacks.
Many have stopped serving customers altogether, while others are serving take-out and curbside pick up only. But, fewer people leaving their homes means even those that have managed to stay open are in danger of closing, some for good.
One restaurant still open for take-out is Taco Chelo, a taco shop that’s been open on Roosevelt Row for two years. The restaurant is known for its Mexican cuisine by Chef Suny Santana and the art it showcases by internationally-recognized artist Gennaro Garcia.
This restaurant, like many others, had to let go of several employees because of the extremely low foot traffic the pandemic caused by the pandemic.
“I think it’s 100% necessary that the people be advised to stay home during this time,” General Manager Adrien Herrera said during a phone interview. “But it’s a shame there is no value for those in the restaurant business like there is for example in the medical or business fields,” he added.
Gov. Doug Ducey has seen how COVID-19 has made a drastic impact on Arizonans and he has taken action.
Two weeks ago, Ducey issued executive order 2020-11, which ensures those whose unemployment is affected by COVID-19 to have access to more flexible unemployment insurance.
According to the order, on “March 19, the Arizona State Senate passed SB1694 that provides flexibility to determine eligibility for unemployment compensation for those affected by a federal declaration of national emergency.”
Before the pandemic started, Taco Chelo had 12 employees. Now, they are down to five.
“Most of the people we let go though were temporary or part-time workers who either have other incomes, go to school or live with their parents,” Herrera said. “We are very blessed to still be open for business.”
Another restaurant that has been suffering is Lo-Lo’s Chicken and Waffles, which was forced to close two of their three Valley locations. The downtown Lo-Lo’s is till serving take-out but their downtown sister restaurant, Monroe’s Hot Chicken, has closed.
“We have had to let go 150 of our employees,” Tracy Williams, the human resources director at Lo-Lo’s Chicken and Waffles, said. “We’ve taken major losses in our sales due to the Coronavirus pandemic,” she added.
If and when business returns to normal, some in the restaurant industry are concerned that the fear caused by COVID-19 will persist.
“I think it’s going to take a while for us to get back on our feet,” Williams said.
Contact the reporter at aawfe@asu.edu.
