Let’s start with the good news! The good news is that after months of being closed or operating on a take-out and delivery only basis, your restaurant can officially reopen. This means that your remaining employees can report back to work and begin cooking and serving once again. The downside is that in order to reopen safely, you’ll need to follow a number of precautions and set up some safety protocols in your restaurant. These newly established plans are in place, thanks to CDC and FDA guidelines, to prevent the spread of COVID-19. In addition, these safety and sanitation guidelines also provide patrons with a little reassurance that they are less likely to contract the virus while eating, increasing the likelihood that they’ll head to your establishment to grab a bite.
Reducing the Spread of COVID-19
In order to reduce the spread of COVID-19, you will need to put a number of behavioral practices into place, such as:
Putting Up Signs/Placards – There should be signs at the entrance of your restaurant, as well as in other locations throughout, that inform patrons to wear their masks and practice social distancing (staying at least 6 feet apart from others). Place these signs in high-traffic areas and have an employee nearby to reinforce what they say in the event that a customer does not see them.
Enforcing Mask Usage – Everyone, from your employees to the patrons, should be properly wearing a mask that covers their nose and mouth. Keeping a supply of masks on hand for those who come unprepared will help enforce this rule and provide a safe dining environment.
Setting Up Social Distancing – You’ll likely need to adjust the spacing of your tables so that they are at least six feet apart. Booths that don’t move will need to be covered or roped off to prevent anyone from sitting in them if they are not a designated place for customers to sit.
Fostering a Healthy Environment
On top of promoting these healthy behaviors, you also need to set up a healthy environment inside of your restaurant. Sanitize everything, from the seats to the tabletops to the bathroom faucets, in between customers. Keep the tables cleared of anything that may harbor the virus, like salt and pepper shakers and napkin holders. Instead, use disposable packets of ketchup, salt, and other condiments, and throw away any leftover packets after a table clears. Speaking of disposable necessities, use disposable paper (or QR coded) menus whenever possible, or at least laminate your menus in a material that’s easy to clean. All of this keeps the virus from lingering and spreading through touch.
To ensure that this healthy environment, which includes proper ventilation, is maintained, you’ll also need to train your employees thoroughly on all the new procedures. It’s important that all employees are on the same page. You may find it easier to have a few people on sanitation duty each shift, with the sole job of keeping everything clean and sanitized.
Keeping Your Workforce Healthy
Of course, a healthy environment only goes as far as your employees. You need to put some rules and guidelines in place for them to follow. Not only do they also need to practice social distancing and wear masks, just like customers, but they also need to avoid coming into work sick. While they may have gotten away with concealing a minor cold in the past, any symptoms of COVID-19 should be taken seriously. Allow your employees to stay home if they have a fever, dry cough, or any other symptoms associated with the virus and encourage them to get tested immediately. This proactive approach can prevent COVID-19 from spreading rapidly throughout your restaurant and community.
While employees and patrons alike are excited to reenter your restaurant, be diligent and implement the proper safety and sanitization protocols to ensure a healthy and safe reopening. If you need some help coming up with a plan to safely reopen your restaurant, contact our team.