Developing an indicative model for preserving restaurant viability during the COVID-19 crisis

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the relatively small number of reported cases of the coronavirus for the last 8 months in Taiwan suggests that the country has successfully managed to mitigate the outbreak. Following a proactive strategy, an immediate response, and a well-orchestrated monitoring system, the public authorities prevented the epidemic and avoided lockdowns, curfews, or business closures enforced by other governments across the globe. This case study explores the implications for the restaurant sector of governmental control measures created to combat the spread of the virus. Based on ethnographic research, the paper investigates the impact of the health crisis management plan on the economic sustainability of small restaurants in tourism areas of Tainan City, in the south of Taiwan. Proceeding inductively, this research identifies seven key factors for restaurant viability during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of the study indicate that cultural context, social cohesion, and the cooperation of restaurant professionals are essential to the effectiveness of any strategy for containing the coronavirus. The proposed model aims to provide a feasible tool for food and beverage providers in other countries to adjust their efforts and actions for surviving during a pandemic.