Eateries thrown open, but don’t let guard down

Manav Mander

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 4

With restaurants opening up and restrictions being lifted, experts say special attention needs to be paid towards hygiene and preventive measures to contain the spread of Covid-19 again. Restaurants in containment zones shall remain closed while those outside such zones would be allowed to open up.

Civil Surgeon Dr Kiran Gill said restaurants/sweet shops needed to follow the standard operating procedures (SOPs) on measures to contain the spread of Covid-19.

“The staff and patrons must follow the simple public health measures that are to be followed to reduce the risk of Covid-19,” Dr Gill stated.

District Health Officer Dr Rajesh Garg said restaurants should make seating arrangements in such a way that adequate social distancing is maintained. Also, people not more than 50 per cent of the seating capacity should be permitted on the premises.

Govt directives to restaurants

Encourage home delivery and monitor body temperature of delivery personnel.

Ensure availability of hand sanitiser and regular cleaning of frequently touched areas.

Do not allow staff or visitors without face covers/masks and ensure social distancing. Visitors not more than 50% of capacity to be allowed inside.

“It is advisable to use disposable menus and instead of cloth napkins, use of good quality disposable paper napkins must be encouraged. Even during buffet service, social distancing should be followed by staff as well as visitors,” Dr Garg added.

As per government guidelines, all restaurants shall encourage takeaways instead of dine-in. Also, the food delivery personnel should leave the packet at the customer’s door and not hand it over to the customer.

Also, the eateries are required to screen the home delivery staff thermally before deliveries.

The premises should also have mandatory hand hygiene (sanitiser dispenser) and thermal screening provisions at the entrance while all staff and visitors should be allowed entry only with face cover/masks. Also, the face cover/masks have to be worn at all times inside the restaurant.

The eating joints are also required to ensure proper crowd management in parking lots and outside the premises, duly following social distancing norms. The joints must also ensure cleaning and regular disinfection of frequently touched surfaces.

The gaming arcades/children play areas (wherever applicable) shall remain closed, as per the guidelines.