Coronavirus keeps patronage down at Long Island's Chinese businesses

Chinese businesses on Long Island say they are feeling a big impact as fears surrounding the coronavirus are on the rise.

News 12 Staff

Feb 22, 2020, 10:37 PM

Updated 1,548 days ago

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Chinese businesses on Long Island say they are feeling a big impact as fears surrounding the coronavirus are on the rise.
The virus has spread to 28 countries with more than 76,200 cases worldwide. There are 1,500 cases outside of China but no confirmed cases in New York.
Business owners say customers have been dwindling at neighborhood hot spots such as New Fu Run in Great Neck.
“Starting from New Year's Day, we started getting phone calls to cancel all the reservations because they are afraid to come out and eat,” said Tina Zhang, the restaurant’s owner. She says business is down 30 to 40%.
On Saturday, Huang Ping, the consul general of the People's Republic of China, state Sen. Anna Kaplan, and several small business owners had lunch at New Fu Run to demonstrate that there's nothing to fear.
“We forget sometimes that small businesses in our community are the bloodline of our community. And that they need our support,” said state Sen. Kaplan.
Lawmakers are encouraging Long Island residents to stand beside the Asian-American community and support small businesses as much as possible.
 
 
 


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