— A fund has been started to help Triangle restaurant industry workers laid off amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Gov. Roy Cooper issued an executive order Tuesday closing all bars and restaurant dining rooms in the state. Businesses can continue to offer delivery, take-out and drive-thru options.

Raleigh chef Ashley Christensen and the Frankie Lemmon Foundation have launched the Triangle Restaurant Workers Relief Fund Wednesday. The fund is open to wait staff, bartenders, hosts, mangers, delivery drivers, cooks, catering staff and dishwashers who have experienced wage disruption or lay offs due to the coronavirus. Workers can apply for aid on the fund's website.

Grants will be awarded by an independent committee of non-restaurant owners. Any worker living in the Triangle and has experienced wage loss due to the closures can apply.

“I have had a long relationship with Frankie Lemmon School, and we knew that they would be the perfect partner in helping our community with immediate fundraising needs. They added 'Food' to Triangle Wine and Food Experience [the foundation’s chief fundraising event] last year, and they meant it,” Christensen said.