George K.
Since restaurants are opening back up in all major cities, you’re probably itching to get out of the house and finally go out to eat again. While things are heading towards returning to normal, we’re not quite there yet. Precautions still need to be taken when dining at a restaurant; so if you’re planning on eating out any time soon, here’s what you can expect.
1. Fewer Crowds
Restaurants aren’t allowed to sit as many people at a table, so you might see many empty seats when you go out to eat at your favorite restaurant. Expect gaps between your party and other patrons of at least six feet when dining out. You should also expect that if you go in large groups that you’ll be split up among two or three tables (depending on the size of your party), but you shouldn’t be seated too far from each other so you can still enjoy the meal together.
2. Mask-Wearing Upon Entry
Wearing a mask at a restaurant might sound silly, but it’s required if you want to eat out. Expect to wear a mask upon entry, but once you get to your table, you can take it off as long as you’re actively eating. Restaurant staff (managers, servers, chefs, etc.) will also be wearing masks the entire time to limit the possibility of spreading the virus. For the best protection while you’re out in public, get yourself a few N95 face masks from Green Supply, as they offer 95 percent, multi-layer filtration.
3. Eating Outside
Restaurants in some states have a limit to how many people they can seat inside (and some can’t seat guests inside at all). Depending on where you live, you may have to eat outside at a table instead of inside the restaurant, which could actually be a pretty nice experience (weather permitting).
4. Sanitation Stations Throughout the Restaurant
Just like you’d see in some department stores and grocery stores, most restaurants have sanitation stations posted throughout the restaurant to ensure cleanliness at the highest level. Feel free to use them when you pass them on your way to the bathroom or on your way in or out of the restaurant. Keeping your hands clean and avoiding touching your face in public can help slow the spread of the virus.
5. Cleaner Bathroom Facilities
Many restaurants around the country have taken extra measures to ensure their bathroom facilities are disinfected properly and multiple times throughout the day (some even going as far as cleaning after each use). Restaurants are required to clean dirty surfaces with soap and water or detergent prior to disinfecting, and use household bleach with at least 70 percent alcohol. The cleaning staff is expected to wear disposable gloves and gowns during the cleaning process and properly ventilate areas that need to be cleaned. They’re also required to wash their hands for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer.
Preparing to Dine Out During COVID
Dining at a restaurant during a pandemic is certainly different than it was before COVID, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still enjoy the experience. By following the tips above, you’ll be in a better position to avoid transmitting or getting the virus while you’re eating out in the age of coronavirus.
