Shiawassee Times

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, approximately 5,600 Michigan restaurants are expected to permanently close if the current restrictions continue for the next few months.

"About 5,600 of Michigan restaurant operators will have closed their doors for good within six months of current COVID-19 restrictions, based on responses to a recent member survey conducted by the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association," Michigan Capitol Confidential reported. 

The survey showed that 66% of hotels in the state have also said they think they can operate for another six months with the current restrictions. But 48% of restaurants in the state said they are considering closing temporarily until all COVID-19 restrictions have passed. 

"The data is settled," said Justin Winslow, president and CEO of the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association. "It is fundamentally clear that the pandemic is decimating the hospitality industry in this state to a degree never seen or even imagined. While it will take several years and a stable economy to reclaim the size, impact and opportunities produced by this industry, we have not yet reached the bottom. As the legislative calendar draws to a close, there are several thousand operators and a few hundred thousand employees in Michigan urgently hoping that the holiday spirit consumes our elected leaders in Washington D.C. and Lansing to pass a meaningful stimulus package for those most in need this holiday season.”