The restaurant industry has been suffering for months because of the coronavirus pandemic. The
reopening of dining rooms across Central New York brings hope to the hospitality sector in the
“new normal” setting.
Ryan McMahon, Onondaga’s County Executive, believes that Central New York has a low rate of coronavirus infections and high testing capabilities to move into phase three. The state has recently released its rules and guidelines, including those for the restaurant business.
In this post, you’ll know more about the rules and guidelines concerning the new normal when dining in restaurants in Syracuse.
New Normal Setting
The term “new normal” was coined way back during the aftermath of the global recession from 2009 to 2012, way before the coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic struck. It pertains to the drastic changes in existing rules due to the financial and economic impacts of the crisis.
With the current pandemic, the new normal calls for drastic changes that restrict people’s usual routine activities, including dining in their favorite restaurants. Dinosaur Bar-B-Que and other restaurants in Syracuse can now serve customers indoors as the state is in phase three of the reopening plan of new normal.
Guidelines for Restaurants’ New Normal Setting
While meals delivery is available, many people crave to dine in their favorite restaurants. It’s also one way to meet friends and relatives again after the lockdowns and restrictions. Before heading to your favorite restaurant, check out these guidelines for the new normal setting.
1. Limit Indoor Capacity
While it’s fun to go back to the old setting when families and friends dined together in restaurants, the new normal requires adherence to certain limits. Now, a maximum of fifty percent of the indoor seats can be filled. This number excludes employees.
2. Limit Outdoor Capacity
When it comes to outdoor tables in restaurants, six feet distance must be maintained between
tables.
3. Physical Barriers
If distancing isn’t available, there should be physical barriers, like plastic shields, placed between
tables. Here’s how:
- Physical barriers may include partitions and sneeze guards, not just between tables, but
also cash registers, food pick-up areas, host stands, and restaurant kitchens. - Physical guides must be provided to maintain social distancing. These include placing a tape on floors and sidewalks and installing signage to ensure everyone remains at least six feet apart.
- Restaurants should also consider providing guides wherever there are lines, like at the bar and in the kitchen.
4. Wearing of Face Mask
Because coronavirus can be transmitted through droplets that travel in the air, all employees are required to wear face coverings like a mask. Also, customers must wear a face mask, except when they’re seated.
5. Same Table Policy
Up to ten individuals of the same party may sit on the same table. However, people need not be from the same household.
6. Seating Distancing
Seating at communal tables and bar areas can only be allowed if six feet distance is maintained.
7. Cleaning and Disinfection
Cleaning and disinfection are crucial during this time.
Check out these cleaning and disinfection guidelines:
- All frequently touched surfaces, including door handles, sink handles, cash registers,
bathroom stalls, and workstations should be cleaned and disinfected at least daily, and as
required by standard food safety requirements. - All shared objects such as tables, payment terminals, countertops, bars, condiment
holders, and receipt trays must be cleaned and disinfected between each use. - Use EPA-approved disinfection products for surfaces, allowing the disinfectant to sit on
the surface following the manufacturer’s recommended contact time.
8. COVID-19 Test and Screening
Because outdoor and indoor dining are now allowed, restaurants can reopen if they fully comply with the health and safety guidelines stipulated by the state. For restaurant staff members, daily health screenings are a must, which includes temperature monitoring.
COVID-19 New York Reopening Plan Updates
On March 10, 2020, the New York Times reported that industry analysts predict that two-thirds of restaurants won’t survive, and 11 percent of restaurants will permanently close within the next 30 days.
Hopefully, things will turn out to be better. With the ongoing health and safety protocols in place, New York has one of the lowest coronavirus transmission rates in the country and is ready to move to the next phase of the reopening plan.
Five New York regions, including Central New York, will enter the fourth and the final phase of the reopening plan. In phase 3, social gatherings of up to 25 people are allowed.
In phase four, this number will increase to 50 people. Also, phase four will allow the reopening of low-risk outdoor and indoor entertainment and arts venues, including aquariums, zoos, botanical gardens, museums, and historical sites.
Conclusion
The above article describes the requirements when dining in restaurants in Syracuse in the new normal. The new normal setting for restaurant businesses requires drastic changes to the usual ways of dining, serving customers, and social distancing.
In phase three of the reopening, New York state restaurants can serve customers but must maintain limited indoor and outdoor capacity. Also, it’s mandatory to wear face coverings and maintaining six feet of social distancing.
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