China News Service, May 7 (Xinhua) According to a report by the American Overseas Chinese News, affected by the new coronary pneumonia epidemic, the nation's catering industry was severely hit, and the most affected was the Chinese restaurant. A report shows that about 59% of independent Chinese restaurants across the United States have closed credit and debit card transactions and closed their doors. However, in the face of the dilemma of survival, Chinese restaurants are actively seeking change, which not only strengthens the anti-epidemic measures in the store to reassure customers, but also provides takeaway services to reduce economic losses.

Nearly 60% of Chinese restaurants closed and closed

  Under the impact of the epidemic, business in the Chinese food industry was bleak. According to CNN reports, on March 10th, ten days before New York issued the "Home Order", 35-year-old Truman Lam (Transliteration) has begun to consider whether to close his iconic restaurant Jinfengda in Manhattan Chinatown in New York Restaurant (Jing Fong). During the busy lunch time, only 36 guests in Lin Chumen shop dine.

  Jinfeng Restaurant is very large in scale, often hosting banquets and weddings, and can accommodate up to 794 people. Usually on weekends, customers who come here for morning tea have to wait a long time before entering the store.

  According to Lin Chumen, as early as January 2020, the business of Jinfeng Restaurant had declined by 80%, and all parties and banquets originally scheduled for March were also cancelled. "I decided to close the business on that day and only open the door on the weekend." Soon after that, Lin Chumen laid off 170 employees of his two stores and encouraged them to apply for unemployment benefits.

  According to a new report from software provider Wombly, as of April 15th, about 59% of independent Chinese restaurants across the United States have closed credit and debit card transactions, which shows that these restaurants have closed and closed.

  According to data provided by Wellington Chen, executive director of the Chinatown Partnership Local Development Corporation in New York City, only 40 of the 270 restaurants in Chinatown are still open. Chinese restaurants across the country face the same situation.

  At the same time, the catering industry in the United States has been severely hit by the epidemic. The National Restaurant Association's report pointed out that the restaurant industry lost $ 30 billion in March and is expected to lose another $ 50 billion by the end of April.

Social isolation leads to depression in the Chinese food industry

  The epidemic has severely hit the US catering industry. Among them, Chinese restaurants have suffered the most.

  According to NPR and Pennlive News Network in Pennsylvania, restaurant owners said that there are many reasons for closing the restaurant. For example, the Chinese began to implement "social isolation" before the official announcement of the home to avoid epidemics.

  In addition, some merchants said that they were closed due to employee health concerns or because they did not want to pay the high extra delivery fees associated with online takeaway platforms.

Chinese restaurant upgrades epidemic prevention measures

  During the epidemic, although many restaurants were closed, there was a Chinese restaurant still operating in Bronx, New York.

  China Wang, located at Spuyten Duyvil 225 West Street, is busy packing customer orders and egg rolls.

  Long Chen, the restaurant manager, said that the restaurant can continue to operate because the family business still has a normal food supply, and there are fewer employees in the store, but there are many hardcore diners.

  Chen Long said, "Many customers have my mobile number. After the outbreak, they will ask me, 'Are you open?'"

  Zachary Miller, a 50-year-old frequent customer of Xingwang Restaurant, said that Xingwang restaurant is like home and can provide a variety of foods. "They have always been part of the community. They are willing to help us. During the outbreak, we also want to help them," Miller said.

  In order to ensure food hygiene and customer safety during the epidemic, only a few employees of Xingwang Restaurant go to work. They need to measure body temperature every day to monitor for fever and other symptoms. In addition, a plexiglass protective cover is installed beside the counter of the restaurant to separate customers and counter cashiers.

  Unlike Xingwang Restaurant, more Chinese restaurants choose to shut down dine-in and only provide takeaway service.

  Wilson Tang, 41, runs the Nom Wah Tea Parlour in 1920 in Manhattan, New York. Tang Weisen said almost all the shops in Chinatown in Manhattan are closed. He currently only opens storefronts in the north of "Little Italy" and only supports food pick-up and take-out delivery.

  "I told the clerk whether they used unemployment benefits or the wages I paid to them, I hope they can use all available resources to survive the epidemic safely." Tang Weisen said.

Liji Daren Bay Area Chinese give gifts of local medical care

  Despite the severe challenges in the epidemic, many Chinese restaurants are still actively joining the ranks of providing material assistance to local medical care.

  According to the San Francisco Chronicle, recently, San Francisco Chinese Cindy Liu, Jade Wu and Shuishui Hu (Shuishui Hu, transliteration) jointly initiated the provision of "love meals" for local frontline medical staff ( Meal With Love) project, to convey their hope of defeating the epidemic together.

  Wu Yu then contacted Xing Wang (Easterly restaurant chain) owner Wang Xing (transliteration), he not only agreed to donate meals, but also asked thousands of customers through the WeChat restaurant, urging them to donate to support local restaurants And medical staff.

  Organizers of the "Love Meal" project say they provide thousands of meals to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, Stanford Hospital and other medical institutions twice a week, and through Facebook Groups share project progress and event photos. "We serve the medical personnel who are fighting on the front line, no matter what ethnic group they are from, what country they come from." Wu Yu said.

  Regarding the "Love Meal" project, doctor Anu Reddy said, "There are so many people cheering for us, it really makes people feel warm."