Dining Out During A Pandemic: Here’s How You Can Do It Safely
As more and more restaurants open their doors back up to consumers, one of the main concerns from the front door to the back end is safety. From the restaurant owners perspective, their decisions or lack thereof can not only affect those who closely work with them, but also those who choose to spend time in their establishment. From the consumer’s perspective, they have to weigh the risk involved with potentially putting themselves in harm's way by surrounding themselves with too many unknown variables. In a recent article for Healthline, assistant professor of epidemiology Eleanor J. Murray at Boston University School of Public Health in Massachusetts, asserts that even restaurants who are intentional in promoting public safety practices still pose a serious risk to diners. “Whether you’re in sort of an indoor space versus a more ventilated or outdoor space, and how physically crowded you are and how much of that crowding is with people that you don’t typically come in contact with,” she explained. “Restaurants hit potentially all the worst side of those things.” While it’s all up to each individual’s discretion on whether or not they want to partake, for those business owners and customers who have made up their minds: here are a handful of things you should do first.
For The Consumer
Be sure to call ahead to the restaurant to ask about your social distancing options. We’re talking patio seating, seating arrangements indoors, sanitation stations, etc. Covid-19 is unfortunately the not so discreet elephant in the room, the last place you want to be in is an establishment that pretends it doesn't see it.
Unfortunately, consumers don’t always follow procedures. Therefore, you must train employees to monitor restaurant activity frequently. Ultimately, implementing these training practices will save your restaurant from unwanted headlines. Additionally, you will establish social responsibilities for your employees & customers, which could stimulate word of mouth marketing for your restaurant within the community. Thankfully, we’ve found more practices you can implement and practice today.
For The Employer
Ensure that your employees are up-to-date on best practices as given by the CDC and your local government. It’s also imperative that they have what they need to follow proper public safety guidelines: sanitizer, plenty of soap, paper towels, cloth face coverings, etc. Your employees will be looking to you for guidance and direction, be sure to lead them well.
For The Consumer
Do your best to minimize hand to hand contact as much as possible. Before entering a restaurant, wash hands upon arrival and if for some reason you can’t--clean your hands with a sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Also, try to plan exactly what meal you want before you get there. This way you won’t have to touch the menus present or at-the-table kiosks. And as expected, before you exit wash your hands.
For The Employer
Since the CDC strongly discourages using or sharing items that are reusable, such as menus, condiments, and any other food containers and instead encourages digital menus: it’s in your best interest to invest in touchless technology like our digital menus to minimize potential exposure to your staff and customers. And the best part about it, the setup is fairly easy.
All restaurant owners have to do is place the scannable QR codes on their table indoors or post them online and customers will have a virtually touch-free way to view your offerings. As another added bonus, for every customer that scans your unique code--you build customer data that will help you configure your digital menus to prime optimization. Check out our simple setup below and if you need more info on how to set up your digital menu, OR add online ordering to your restaurant: visit us at www.orderem.com or give us a call at 855-210-APPS.
For The Consumer
As much as possible, stay 6ft away from anyone where you can social distance. Additionally, this includes passing and on patio seating. Wear your face mask at all times except of course when eating/drinking and be mindful of your surroundings. The last thing you want to do is get lazy in thinking that what you’re doing poses no risk. As per the CDC: dining out while practicing proper public safety actions MINIMIZES the risk--it does not eradicate it. So always proceed with caution for your fellow citizens.
For The Employer
Do whatever it takes to promote proper public safety protocol for both your consumers and staff. Whether that's six feet signs on the floors, multiple sanitation stations, or washing your hand's signs in strategic places, your focus should be people > profit. We know times are difficult right now, and we're all trying to make it work. But remember, your business can always bounce back, you can always rebuild and start over. But some people can't and won't ever be able to due to the devastating effects of the pandemic. So keep everything in full perspective.