Gov. John Carney’s move to lift most COVID restrictions will open things up for Delaware restaurants, but the state’s restaurant association says challenges persist for the industry.
The Delaware Restaurant Association estimates a roughly $1.2 billion loss to the state’s hospitality industry because of COVID as of late March.
It also lost about two-thirds of its workforce during the height of the lockdowns, and is currently down by roughly eight to ten thousand workers.
The Association’s President Carrie Leishman is praising Carney’s move to reduce social distancing requirements to three feet as a “step in the right direction.” She says it will help the smallest footprint restaurants seat more guests.
“This industry has spent 14 months advocating for the safe opening of restaurants. So the news from the Governor was taken with great joy and relief for so many of our restaurants across the state,” said Leishman.
The ease of restrictions of restrictions starts May 21st. The new rules permit indoor dining provided patrons stay in their seats unless the venue has a plan for a dancefloor approved by the state.
Leishman says the biggest challenge for the hospitality industry going forward is staffing.
“As the restaurants open more fully, everybody is looking to hire at the same time, number one. Number two, people who left the industry during the shutdowns, some of them have simply found jobs in other industries and they’re not coming back,” she said.
Leishman also cites challenges with work visas and argues enhanced federal unemployment disincentivizes people from looking for work. She is advocating the state Department of Labor to reinstate requirements that people receiving unemployment also be actively seeking a job.
She says many restaurants are operating on reduced hours because of staff shortages.
