With Taiwan on Level 3 COVID-19 alert level nationwide, many people have not been going to restaurants or even ordering from them.
Since Monday, restaurants in some major cities can only offer take-out services. That’s a real blow to restaurants that serve brunch because customers usually like to go to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. Now, many are not even interested in ordering.
Since Taiwan raised its COVID alert to Level 3 nationwide, restaurants have been suffering. Beginning May 22, major cities like Taipei, New Taipei and Kaohsiung also banned dining in at all restaurants, food courts and drink shops.
This breakfast shop manager in Kaohsiung, Hsu Ya-hui says people used to come to enjoy a leisurely brunch. Her business is hurting as she doesn’t have many take out orders. At the end of the day, she often has to throw out unused food. With the high cost of operating restaurants, many of them have decided to just close their doors for now.
A survey of more than 7,000 restaurants nationwide found that restaurant revenues have dropped an average of 74% in Taiwan in the last three days. High income restaurants that specialize in dine-in services have seen the biggest dip in business.
With only take out services available, restaurants are struggling to survive.