That's the reality being faced by longtime Wollongong eatery Food World Gourmet Cafe.

Not SARS, not the global financial crisis, nothing has had this kind of impact, proprietor Michael Li said.

"This is the most difficult time since we opened in 1994," he said.

"We dropped turnover around 50 per cent this week.

"People prefer staying at home and do not want to dine outside - particularly Chinese restaurants."

It doesn't help matters that COVID-19 emanated from Wuhan province, or that the US President insists on referring to it as the "China Virus".

None of this affects anyone's chance of catching the coronavirus from a Chinese restaurant in Wollongong - the people who work there live here. But Chinese restaurants have still been among the hardest hit.

Now, like with many other Illawarra eateries, Food World will for the first time start offering a home delivery service, so people can have their favourite restaurant meal at home.

Think prawn dumplings and steamed barbecue pork buns, along with a wonton noodle soup, a serve of Kung Pao chicken and some Ma Po tofu, with rice. There you go.

To order call Food World on 42259655. foodworldgourmetcafe.com.au