Mayor of Winston-Salem, Allen Joines has issued a “Stay-At-Home” alert for all non-essential businesses and employees starting on Friday, March 27.

The good news, however, is that restaurants and hospitality businesses that offer takeout/delivery/curbside are exempt from the alert. Per the proclamation:

12. Restaurants for consumption off-premises. Restaurants and other facilities that prepare and serve food, but only for consumption off-premises, through such means as in-house delivery, third-party delivery, drive-through, curbside pick-up, and carry-out. Schools and other entities that typically provide food services to students or members of the public may continue to do so under this Amended Declaration on the condition that the food is provided to students or members of the public on a pick-up and takeaway basis only. Schools and other entities that provide food
services under this exemption shall not permit the food to be eaten at the site where
it is provided, or at any other gathering site due to the virus’s propensity to
physically impact surfaces and personal property.

Note the last sentence… you are NOT allowed to eat the food at the site where it is provided.

So, the hospitality industry in WSNC can continue as it has. I directly spoke with Mayor Joines and asked if this did, in fact, mean the restaurants could stay open. He said:  “Yes it excludes restaurants with takeout. And, makes it ok for people to go out and get the food.”

Worry not, WSNC! You can still get your favorite takeout, provided the restaurant is serving at this time.

To read the entire proclamation, visit here.