Chinese restaurant adjusts to outdoor dining in COVID-19 pandemic

NEW YORK -- "The restaurant's turnover is only two to three percent of what it was before the COVID-19 pandemic. Rent, utilities and staff salaries have to be paid as usual," Chen Shanzhuang, owner of a Chinese restaurant named Golden Imperial Palace in New York City, told Xinhua.

Chen, who has run the restaurant for more than three decades, is facing an unprecedented crisis. In mid to late March, the COVID-19 pandemic worsened in the United States, and businesses were shut down across New York State. With the executive order of "New York State on PAUSE", his restaurant chain had to close.

Actually his restaurant began to feel the negative impact of COVID-19 in January, Chen said. "An important indicator was the number of tourists decreased significantly."