Coronavirus: ‘Cater for a surge in home delivery,’ bars and restaurants told

The hospitality industry insists there is no suggestion there will be a New York-style shut down in Australia.

Restaurants are being told to prepare for a spike in home-delivery demand as more people work from home, but the hospitality industry insists there is no suggestion there will be a New York-style shutdown.

New York City mayor Bill de Blasio will order all bars and restaurants in the city to close, with restaurants restricted to home delivery and takeaway, in response to the spread of coronavirus.

Restaurant and Catering Australia chief executive Wes Lambert said he was in daily discussions with the federal ­government and there was no suggestion Australia would follow the New York move.

“We have heard nothing from the government about a mass business shutdown,” he said.

Mr Lambert said he had ­already been encouraging the country’s 47,456 restaurant, cafe and catering businesses to take ­advantage of the surge in demand for home delivery.

“For the majority of restaurants, their sales have dropped off considerably already,” he said. “For some, takeaway and delivery has seen a certain increase, through UberEats, Deliveroo and Menulog.

“With more people working from home, they are ordering in their lunch, and we support it.

“For our members, if they’re not on those takeaway sites, we’re telling them to get on there and work out what items would be best put on takeaway menus.”

Catering businesses have been hit hardest, Mr Lambert said, with caterers reporting cancellations for between 80 and 100 per cent of their bookings for the next three months.

It follows a decision by the federal government to restrict gatherings of more than 500 people.

Queensland Hotels Association chief executive Bernie Hogan said pubs across the country were trying to restrict the ­density of customers so they could comply with “social distancing” recommendations while still ­operating.

“A full shutdown would have a great effect on the industry; our biggest concern would be for our staff,” Mr Hogan said.

He said in Queensland, pubs were being told to more frequently clean “high-touch surfaces” such as bar tops, ATMs, doorknobs and gaming machines.

Jo Schofield, national president of the United Workers Union, which represents hospitality workers, said the closing of restaurants and bars across Australia would have a “devastating impact” on hospitality members.

“We are calling on the federal government to do more to support workers and the community,” she said.

“United Workers Union supports calls for a government stimulus package directed specifically to ensure workers are supported and do not lose pay as a result of coronavirus concerns.

“Government needs to step up to ensure minimal economic ­impact on the Australian community. This commitment needs to be made now before closures like we have seen in New York occur.”