Coronavirus in Florida podcast: Will Tampa Bay restaurants survive COVID-19?

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Late last week, Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order requiring all restaurants to shift to take-out or delivery only. The directive led to the layoffs of thousands of hospitality workers in the Tampa Bay area.

“We’re going to take-out and delivery only, which is, you know, somewhat unfortunate because it’s going to be hard for some of these restaurants to survive in this environment,” DeSantis said.

To get a better understanding of the issue, Coronavirus in Florida host Allison Graves interviewed Times food critic Helen Freund about the tough road ahead for restaurants and businesses across the state.

We don’t have a set schedule for the Coronavirus in Florida podcast, but we plan to publish more episodes in the coming weeks. You can listen to the latest episode by clicking the “play” button in the audio player above or by downloading it on your favorite podcast platform.

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Tampa Bay Times coronavirus coverage

EVENT CANCELLATIONS: Get the latest updates on events planned in the Tampa Bay area in the coming weeks.

STORES REACT TO VIRUS: Some businesses adjust hours or announce temporary closings.

BE PREPARED: Guidelines for essentials to keep in your home should you have to stay inside.

STOCK UP YOUR PANTRY: Foods that should always be in your kitchen, for emergencies and everyday life.

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