As Dining Bans Multiply, Restaurants Are Scrambling To Keep Their Businesses Open

Everybody who eats out often has a favorite spot. Last week, I offered some tips on how to help restaurants and cafes during the coronavirus crisis.

You all responded with enthusiasm, showing just how much you value your local hangouts.

They're still great ideas, and if you can follow them, that's fine, but coronavirus related events are quickly overtaking the restaurant industry.

On Sunday, the states of Ohio and Illinois announced bans on patrons in bars and restaurants.

The eating establishments can still serve patrons via drive-thru windows or curbside carryout, as well as delivery, but they can't seat and serve diners.

The Illinois ban takes effect at the close of business Monday night, and will be in effect until March 30.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzer said he acted after hearing about big pre-St. Patrick's Day crowds in Chicago bars on Saturday night.

People went out drinking even though the city canceled its St. Patrick's Day events, including parades and the annual dyeing of the Chicago River, because of fears that the crowds could spread the coronavirus.

The ban in Ohio takes effect at 9 pm ET on Sunday. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has been among the most aggressive state leaders in the country in taking steps to combat the virus.

Establishments can stay open for carry-out and delivery, DeWine said.

"What we can't have is people congregating and seated. Every day we delay, more people will die," he said.

"If we do not act and get some distance between people, our healthcare system in Ohio will not hold up. The loss won't only be those impacted by COVID19, but the danger is also to everyone else who needs hospital care for other issues."

On Sunday, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said he'd prefer that people not eat out at all right now.

Fauci said he's been raising the idea of a national restaurant ban with the Trump administration.

The issue is especially crucial because it's likely many revelers will continue partying right through Tuesday, when the actual holiday actually takes place.

However, some bars and restaurants in South Boston, a traditional spot for St. Patrick's Day festivities, have voluntarily decided to close.

Hoboken, New Jersey, has imposed a curfew and is closing its bars and restaurants. There are calls for big cities like Chicago and New York, which have limited big gatherings, to do the same.

Last week, a number of restaurant owners decided to close temporarily, including the Union Square Hospitality Group, owned by Danny Meyer, and Le Bernardin, the three-star Michelin restaurant whose chef is Eric Ripert.

Still, other places across the country are trying to remain open, and they're embracing a number of ways to make it possible for their customers to eat their food. Here are the two main ways they are trying to stay ahead of the shutdowns.

Curbside carry out. This weekend, Sofra Bakery & Cafe in Boston told its customers to wait in their cars or on the street for their orders.

That practice also has been instituted across a number of the food places in the Zingerman's Community of Businesses in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

App ordering and delivery. Of course, delivery apps have been bringing restaurant meals to patrons for years now. But restaurants are now emphasizing that customers don't need to come in to get food.

Data from Open Table, collected last week, is showing just how bad the crisis is getting. Reservations were already falling in late February and early March, but on Friday, they fell 36%.

Events are moving swiftly, and it's quite possible that this will be one of the toughest weeks that the restaurant industry has ever experienced.

If your favorite place is still open and you're craving its food, don't delay in placing your order. Apps and phone lines are bound to be busy in the days to come.

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