Dining Out In The Covid World: Everything Restaurants Will Do To Make Your Visit Safe

Restaurants across India have been back in business for a while now but customers have still been wary of eating out. Now the National Restaurant Association of India has released a detailed guide book detailing a new set of SOPs to follow for the eateries in order to provide foodies a safe and hygienic experience. From the kitchen to payment, the guide book covers every aspect of the restaurant business. Here is a brief list of all the guidelines it has put out for restaurants to follow.

1. Social Distancing Everywhere

The NRAI suggests that all counters where human interaction happens (valet, security, bar, hostess, takeaway, drive through, live kitchen counter) should have a safety decal pasted across the counter encouraging a minimum distance of 2 meters. Lifts can allow two people at a time if they are a known pair. Parking and waiting areas must have stickers pasted to show where guests are allowed to stand and wait. These measures are in addition to the 2m distance between tables, installation of plexiglass divider, and wearing masks at all times.

2. Air-Conditioning & Ventilation

As per the guidelines, the ideal AC temperature to keep away from Covid-19 virus is between 24 degree Celsius and 30 degree Celsius. Humidity should be in the range of 40 to 65 percent and there must be adequate cross ventilation as well.

3. New Valet Rules

As per the NRAI guidelines, it is recommended to discard valet services at all until  cars are a potential source of transmission. Instead, guided parking should be looked into. Restaurants offering valet services should ensure that staff are kitted up with proper face masks, visors, hand gloves and sanitising kits. Physical tags should also be avoided and online apps should be used for mapping. Before returning the vehicle, the valet should sanitise all last-contact areas

4. Screening At The Door

Taking temperature of visitors at door is almost a ritual these days. In addition the NRAI also wants restaurants to check the Aarogya Setu app status of every guest before entry, sanitised items brought with them, and install a plexiglass divider up to the face level to reduce chances of transmission. Guests and security personnel at the health checkup counter should maintain physical distance.

5. Kitchen Hygiene

NRAI wants staff to provide employees with training on cleaning standard operating procedures and hand hygiene. Those washing dishes must maintain a distance of 6ft between themselves. Before starting a shift, a person washing dishes must sanitise their hands at a no-contact basin with H34 soap. Additionally  detergents, sanitisers and hand-washing soap need to comply with COVID-19 disinfection standards as well.

6. Restrooms

After Covid-19 it is essential for restaurants to keep soap dispensers, disinfectant gel dispensers and paper towels well stocked at all times. Other sanitisation measures also include cleaning mirrors to not have droplets on them, checking  restroom hygiene after every use, putting up an extra sanitiser at the  toilet exit, and leaving restroom doors open to reduce contamination.

7. Payments

It is no surprise that NRAI have suggested restaurants to encourage contactless payments to stay safe from Covid. It also recommended that bills should be presented digitally using a tech platform like DotPe, Bhim app, Paytm, Dineout, etc. Those handing out physical copies of the bill should place it on a plate and card machines should be sanitised with wet wipes or sanitiser after every use. Also, the staff should not touch a guest’s electronic device without safety equipment and should change their gloves immediately afterwards.