As the novel coronavirus pandemic spreads worldwide, Massachusetts has been in an official state of emergency since March 10. Restaurants have been closed for dine-in service since March 17 (takeout and delivery are still allowed) and will remain closed until at least May 4, leaving tens of thousands of workers out of jobs. Restaurant owners are asking the state — and landlords, and banks — for relief. Consumers are wondering how best to support their favorite restaurants and how to feed themselves while maintaining social distancing at overcrowded and understocked grocery stores.
It’s a situation the likes of which the Massachusetts restaurant industry has never faced, and no one knows what it’s going to look like on the other side — or when that will even be.
This page is a collection of all Eater Boston content (and some from Eater.com) relevant to COVID-19: breaking news about new restrictions on restaurants, reported features on how the state government is helping (or not helping) the restaurants, guides on where to find the area’s best delivery and takeout options, fundraising roundups, lists of where to take booze classes from local bartenders online, and lots more.
This page will be updated regularly as we continue to cover the effects of the pandemic on the local food scene. Please email boston@eater.com if there’s something that should be on our radar.