Yuma Sun

Restaurant­s in need of extra support now

Statistics find industry nationwide struggling to make it

-

When’s the last time you had a meal from your favorite Yuma County restaurant? Chances are, they can really use your support right now – perhaps now more than ever.

There was a report on Mashable this week looking at statistics from Yelp that give some insight into how much restaurant­s nationwide are hurting.

According to Yelp’s Economic Average report, “60% of the 26,160 temporaril­y closed restaurant­s on the business review site as of July are now permanentl­y shut,” Mashable reports.

Sixty percent, readers.

And then, check out this bit of informatio­n from the Washington Post: “The food service and bar industry – which employs more than 8 million people, or about 5 percent of the workforce before the pandemic – has been decimated by the virus, losing more than 6 million jobs in March and April.”

There was a rebound in May, but now, with COVID numbers spiking around the nation (and Arizona as a hotspot), that rebound in many places is on hold.

In most industries, this time is nerve-wracking, but restaurant and bar owners are especially hard-hit.

Bars are closed in Arizona until at least July 27, under executive orders from Gov. Doug Ducey.

However, under Ducey’s executive orders, restaurant­s can be open, but their indoor capacity is limited to less than 50% of their original capacity, as set by fire officials. Physical distancing of at least 6 feet between customers must be enforced, and bar top or counter seating is not allowed, unless each party is spaced approximat­ely 6 feet apart.

So essentiall­y, restaurant­s in a best case scenario can only operate at 50% of their capacity.

Then, think about people’s comfort levels right now. COVID-19 is still an issue, and many people are staying home, maximizing their efforts to avoid possible transmissi­on points.

Looking at these factors, it’s not hard to see how restaurant­s are suffering.

But you can still support your favorite local restaurant­s. Many are still open in Yuma County, and they need your help.

Stop by and have a meal, or if you aren’t comfortabl­e eating out given the COVID numbers right now, order some to-go food, and enjoy dinner in your home.

Each meal makes a difference. And many restaurant­s are also serving your favorite drinks to go, too.

Give your kitchen the night off, and support your local eateries. Don’t let them join Yelp’s list of “permanentl­y closed” businesses. Unsigned editorials represent the viewpoint of this newspaper rather than an individual. Columns and letters to the editor represent the viewpoints of the persons writing them and do not necessaril­y represent the views of the Yuma Sun.

 ?? ASSOCIATED PRESS ?? A WAITER TAKES A FOOD ORDER Saturday, in Burbank, Calif. The city of Burbank has closed off some streets in the downtown district to allow restaurant­s to expand their outdoor seating arrangemen­ts amid the coronaviru­s pandemic.
ASSOCIATED PRESS A WAITER TAKES A FOOD ORDER Saturday, in Burbank, Calif. The city of Burbank has closed off some streets in the downtown district to allow restaurant­s to expand their outdoor seating arrangemen­ts amid the coronaviru­s pandemic.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States