Hunton Retail Law Resource

In light of the various restrictions on retail businesses being issued nationwide in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19—such as the “safer at home” orders issued in Los Angeles County and throughout California last week—one Southern California city is taking action to support local businesses, while continuing to push compliance with the new legal restrictions.

In an effort to help mitigate some of the financial stress on Pasadena’s restaurants (whose dine-in facilities are currently closed), the City has compiled an online directory of Pasadena restaurants that are currently open for take-out or delivery.  Restaurants can add themselves to the online directory by submitting a simple 8-question survey at the link provided. The City’s website states that the directory will be updated every 24 hours.

As state and local governments continue to grapple with how to enact policies to address the effects of COVID-19, it will be critical for both the affected businesses and the governments themselves to determine how to best mitigate the economic damage that appears likely to result. One hopes that more governments will realize that, in order to win this war against the virus, a more holistic approach—which supports the local economy, as well as the local population—may be the prudent choice.