As of June 2, efforts to reopen the nation were being undertaken in each across the nation, and while the pace varies from state to state and governor to governor, many restrictions are being relaxed or modified in all 50 states.
The reopening has been welcomed not only by more than 300 million Americans who were under stay-at-home or shelter-in-place directives imposed by state, county and municipal entities. At the same time restaurants and other businesses are providing, albeit limited in some instances, service, health officials continue to warn against moving too quickly in the return to commerce.
But the feel is still hopeful – and that’s in spite of other social unrest that is gripping the country now, too.
Industry news source refrigeratedfrozenfood.com has a story posted at https://www.refrigeratedfrozenfood.com/articles/99276-us-foods-launches-restaurant-reopening-blueprint-program that provides an overview of steps being taken by US Foods for operators. The story, dated May 18, can be accessed at no cost on a limited basis; the site itself is a subscription service.
The story notes, in part, “US Foods launched its latest COVID-19 online operator resource, the US Foods Restaurant Reopening Blueprint. The Restaurant Reopening Blueprint provides operators with a how-to for putting key COVID-19 guidelines into practice as they plan reopening efforts.
“The Restaurant Reopening Blueprint is informed by interviews with key stakeholders such as diners, restaurant staff and US Foods consultants and chefs. Interviews were also conducted with operators and diners in China to understand what learnings might be applicable for U.S. restaurant operations.”
Two other major news outlets, USA Today and the New York Times, each posted updates on the nation’s reopening earlier this week, looking at state-by-state news with interactive maps. USA Today’s piece, updated on May 28, can be accessed at https://www.usatoday.com/storytelling/coronavirus-reopening-america-map/ and provides information on what restrictions are still in place, i.e. masks in public settings, and what businesses/services have opened, i.e. churches, restaurants, theaters, gyms, etc.
The New York Times piece is at https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/states-reopen-map-coronavirus.html and advised, “The United States has crossed an uneasy threshold, with all 50 states beginning to reopen in some way after the coronavirus thrust the country into lockdown. But there are substantial variations in how states are deciding to open up, with some forging far ahead of others.”
It added, “Businesses are almost universally reopening under restrictions, such as allowing fewer customers, requiring workers and customers to wear masks, and enforcing social distancing. Even as governors lift orders, stricter local orders may remain in place.”
