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Waiters in tuxes linger on a street in Rome with empty restaurant patios behind them.

Tracking the Effects of Coronavirus on Food and Restaurants

From the restaurant economy to grocery stores and supply interruptions, here’s the most recent news regarding COVID-19 and food

Contributors: Eater Staff

Of all the industries threatened by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, few have felt the impact as deeply as the food industry. Restaurants around the world have experienced dramatic drop-offs in customer traffic, with Chinese restaurants bearing the brunt of losses. Additionally, there have been major interruptions in the food supply chain as factories temporarily close amidst the outbreak and concerns grow surrounding the importing and exporting of goods.

Below you’ll find a regularly updated collection of Eater’s COVID-19 coverage. For local news from our city sites, click here.

78 Total Updates Since
Jan 31, 2020, 2:51pm EST

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August 27, 2020
Where Restaurants and Bars Are Closing Again Across the U.S.

By Elazar Sontag

Here’s how cities and states are backtracking as COVID-19 cases spike — again
July 13, 2020
Is It Safe to Eat at Restaurants Yet?

By Monica Burton and Jenny G. Zhang
Photo-illustrations: Eater

Dining out right now will come with certain risks. Here’s what you can do to keep yourself and others around you safe.
May 29, 2020
All the, Uh, Creative Ways Restaurants Are Enforcing Social Distancing

By Eater Staff

From mannequins to stuffed animals to pool noodles you wear on your head, here’s how restaurants are keeping customers away from each other
May 28, 2020
The Uncertain Future of Pop-Up Restaurants

By Elazar Sontag

As the restaurant industry faces an ongoing crisis, pop-up chefs confront unique challenges during the pandemic
May 20, 2020
New Bill Proposes $120 Billion in Grants to Support Independent Restaurants

By Elazar Sontag

The grants wouldn’t have to be repaid
May 20, 2020
A Guide to All the Restaurant Safety Guides

By Nick Mancall-Bitel

With CDC guidelines coming in at a slight four pages, independent restaurant industry groups are stepping in with their own guidance
May 18, 2020
Where Restaurants Have Reopened Across the U.S.

By Elazar Sontag

More than half the country is reopening for business amid the coronavirus pandemic
May 15, 2020
Waffle House Claims to Be About ‘People.’ Its Own People Say Otherwise.

By Jenny G. Zhang@jennygzhang

The idea of "family" is key to the restaurant chain’s image. But to some hourly employees, that core concept has rung hollow during the pandemic.
May 15, 2020
Noma Is an Outdoor Wine and Burger Bar, for Now

By Hillary Dixler Canavan@hillarydixler

In what feels like a first, Noma follows the trend instead of starting it
May 14, 2020
If Momofuku Is Closing Restaurants, What Does It Mean for Everyone Else?

By Monica Burton

Momofuku is banking on cost-cutting and new consumer products to weather the storm. Few other restaurant groups will be able to do the same.
May 14, 2020
A Guide to All the Restaurant Safety Guides

By Nick Mancall-Bitel

As the CDC and Trump administration fail to coordinate on comprehensive protocols, independent restaurant industry groups are stepping in with their own guidance
May 12, 2020
Six Questions Restaurant Workers Should Ask Their Employers Before Returning to Work

By Andrew Volk

The restaurant you used to work for received a PPP loan and wants you back — now what?
May 12, 2020
The Un-Heroic Reality of Being an ‘Essential’ Restaurant Worker

By Sara Selevitch
Illustration by Nhung Lê

As a restaurant employee, I’ve been deemed an essential worker. But you’d never know that from the way I’m treated.
May 8, 2020
Some Restaurants Are Making Permanent Pivots to Adapt to a New Normal

By Hillary Dixler Canavan@hillarydixler

These chefs and owners are anticipating a world where diners and staff want to limit their time inside restaurants
May 6, 2020
What’s Happening With Restaurant Awards Right Now?

By Monica Burton

What Michelin, the James Beard Awards, and World’s 50 Best have planned in the wake of coronavirus
May 6, 2020
The Path to Survival Is Even More Complicated for Immigrant-Owned Mom-and-Pop Restaurants

By Jenny G. Zhang@jennygzhang
Photography by Gary He

Mom-and-pop diners and family-run takeout spots are especially vulnerable to the challenges ahead set by COVID-19
April 30, 2020
Black-Owned Restaurants in Detroit Are Hard Hit by the Pandemic

By Brittany Hutson

After decades of structural racism, Detroit’s Black restaurateurs are facing both health and economic crises
April 30, 2020
Why New Restaurants Are Still, Somehow, Opening During the Pandemic

By Nick Mancall-Bitel

Saddled with debt, mortgages, and payroll, some owners have no choice but to open a new restaurant in the midst of COVID-19
April 29, 2020
Coronavirus Has Changed the Way We Think About Disposable Plastics

By Lisa Held

Many stores are banning reusable food containers and canvas shopping bags, which means plastic bags and straws are everywhere again
April 23, 2020
A Line Cook Wonders If He’ll Have a Job Post Coronavirus

By Monica Burton

Los Angeles-based line cook Samuel Prieto worries the pandemic will have a permanent impact on the career paths of young cooks
April 22, 2020
Survey Says: Restaurants Won’t Be Ready to Open With Rest of the Country

By Vince Dixon

New data from restaurant groups and organizations shows a stark future for the hospitality industry
April 21, 2020
The Lockdown Was Terrible for Restaurants. Can We Make ‘Reopening’ Any Better?

By Hillary Dixler Canavan@hillarydixler

Without proper aid, restaurants will struggle through rolling lockdowns and half-capacity dining rooms
April 21, 2020
For Restaurants Fighting to Stay Open, Landlords Prove a Major Hurdle

By Tove Danovich

Some landlords are offering monetary relief, while others are leaving things intentionally vague — possibly to leave the door open to future eviction
April 20, 2020
America’s Coffee Shops Just Might Survive This Moment

By Jordan Michelman

If you compare the situation to the ongoing restaurant apocalypse, there’s some hopeful news coming out of the coffee landscape
April 16, 2020
‘We Went From $85 Million to $0 Overnight’

By Alex Smith
As told to Monica Burton

The CEO of Baltimore-based Atlas Restaurant Group on operating his 15-restaurant group in a new reality

Tracking the Effects of Coronavirus on Food and Restaurants

Where Restaurants and Bars Are Closing Again Across the U.S.

Is It Safe to Eat at Restaurants Yet?

All the, Uh, Creative Ways Restaurants Are Enforcing Social Distancing

The Uncertain Future of Pop-Up Restaurants

New Bill Proposes $120 Billion in Grants to Support Independent Restaurants

A Guide to All the Restaurant Safety Guides

Where Restaurants Have Reopened Across the U.S.

Waffle House Claims to Be About ‘People.’ Its Own People Say Otherwise.

Noma Is an Outdoor Wine and Burger Bar, for Now

If Momofuku Is Closing Restaurants, What Does It Mean for Everyone Else?

A Guide to All the Restaurant Safety Guides

Six Questions Restaurant Workers Should Ask Their Employers Before Returning to Work

The Un-Heroic Reality of Being an ‘Essential’ Restaurant Worker

Some Restaurants Are Making Permanent Pivots to Adapt to a New Normal

What’s Happening With Restaurant Awards Right Now?

The Path to Survival Is Even More Complicated for Immigrant-Owned Mom-and-Pop Restaurants

Black-Owned Restaurants in Detroit Are Hard Hit by the Pandemic

Why New Restaurants Are Still, Somehow, Opening During the Pandemic

Coronavirus Has Changed the Way We Think About Disposable Plastics

A Line Cook Wonders If He’ll Have a Job Post Coronavirus

Survey Says: Restaurants Won’t Be Ready to Open With Rest of the Country

The Lockdown Was Terrible for Restaurants. Can We Make ‘Reopening’ Any Better?

For Restaurants Fighting to Stay Open, Landlords Prove a Major Hurdle

America’s Coffee Shops Just Might Survive This Moment

‘We Went From $85 Million to $0 Overnight’

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