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Sorry we are closed sign board hanging on a door of cafe
Starting at midnight on Thursday, restaurants in St. Louis City and County will only be allowed to operate through curbside, carryout, and/or delivery service, in an effort to limit the spread of coronavirus, or COVID-19 in the area. The decision was announced by St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson and St. Louis County Executive Dr. Sam Page at a press conference on Tuesday.
When asked what public assistance would be accessible to hospitality workers, Krewson advised that unemployment benefits would be available but also that St. Louisans should "contact your congressmen and senators to make sure that we get a good assistance bill through Congress and the president."
There are currently three cases of the novel virus, which spreads person-to-person through respiratory droplets, in St. Louis County. There is one case in St. Louis City. To prevent community spread, officials are recommending that people wash their hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol, stay away from those who are sick, and stay at home if they are sick themselves.
In addition, they recommend social distancing—staying indoors and not frequenting crowded places except to go to the doctor or out for essentials like groceries or medication.
Officials took social distancing one step further on Sunday. Krewson and Page, together with St. Charles County Executive Director Steve Ehlmann, St. Clair County Board Chairman Mark Kern, and Madison County Board Chairman Kurt Prenzler, recommended that all schools close by March 18 in those five jurisdictions. The recommendations came down in a joint statement. The recommendation will be evaluated by April 3.
Krewson, Page, Ehlmann, Kern, and Prenzler also banned gatherings of more than 50 people for at least eight weeks.
On Sunday, Krewson tweeted that she was working with officials from St. Louis County, St. Charles County, St. Clair County, and Madison County in deciding on whether to close restaurants, bars and nightclubs.
Even before the official decision came down, local restaurants and bars made the difficult sacrifice to close out of an abundance of caution. SLM has been keeping a list of temporary restaurant closings due to the COVID-19 crisis.
James Beard Award–winning chef Gerard Craft announced on Monday that he would be closing all of his restaurants except for Cinder House, for the health and safety of employees, patrons, and the community at large. He posted the announcement in a video to his Instagram account:
2nd Shift Brewing announced its tasting room would be closed until further notice.
Parlor did as well.
Tamm Avenue Bar announced it would not be open for St. Patrick's Day on Tuesday. On that holiday, people would not be allowed to gather in groups larger than 50 people.
Some restaurant owners, such as Crown Candy Kitchen owner Andy Karandzieff expressed support—though it was a difficult decision—for closures. He announced on Tuesday, before the press conference, that Crown Candy Kitchen would close at 4 p.m.
Others had pivoted to doing delivery. SLM took a closer look at how some were preparing here.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch restaurant critic Ian Froeb took to Twitter to round up a list of local restaurants and bars that had closed temporarily except for carryout or delivery, or were selling gift cards to be used once back up and running.
Twitter user Stephen Bolen was working on a survey to collect information about restaurants that accept gift cards, and do delivery or takeout, so people could support their local favorites without dining in. The submissions are being collected in this spreadsheet.
