The restaurant industry employs almost 10% of the entire U.S. workforce. COVID-19 has thrown millions of restaurant workers into unemployment, accounting for nearly one-third of private sector job losses. The economic impact has been severe industry-wide, but it has absolutely devastated low-wage tipped workers who were already on the economic margins. For the sake of everyone working in the industry, restaurants must reopen diligently, safely and equitably.

Support Health and Safety

• Restaurants must provide proper safety equipment and training to prevent the spread of COVID-19
• Restaurants must promote a culture of public health by explaining safety precautions to customers, and customers must be expected to respect the health and safety of workers.
• Restaurants must abide by social distancing guidelines by maintaining six feet of distance between customers and should rely on outdoor seating as much as possible.
• Workers must have access to paid sick leave benefits so they do not have to choose between making a living and potentially risking the health and safety of others. 
• Employers that put workers and the public at risk must be held accountable.
• Restaurants must take steps to address racial inequity as they reopen, including adopting best practices outlined in ROC United’s Racial Equity Toolkit.