As the world is returning to normality after a long period of the Dine COVID-19 pandemic, restaurants are also slowly reopening. But the question arises, now that restaurants are reopening, what will the dining experience be like?
Will everything be the same as before, or will we have to face some new rules?
If you do not live in cities where restaurants have already opened, then naturally you will have this question in your mind that what will be the restaurant experience after lockdown. Even though every state and city across the country is making its own guidelines, some things are being seen almost everywhere.
In this article, we will talk about 10 major changes, which you can see when you go to the restaurant for food again. These changes include rules for maintaining social distance, staff wearing masks, digital menus, temperature checks and much more.
More outdoor dining
As summer approaches, many cities and states are encouraging outdoor dining. This means you will now see tables and chairs on streets, sidewalks, parking areas or gardens.
For example, Illinois has already allowed dining in patios and open spaces before indoor dining. At the same time, in cities like New York City, restaurants are being allowed to set up tables on streets and sidewalks, so that crowds can be avoided and more and more customers can be provided food in a safe environment.
Servers and staff wearing masks
Now that restaurants are opening, the first big change you will see will be staff covered in masks. Especially in states like Texas, it has been made mandatory for restaurant employees to wear masks, be it chefs, waiters or cleaning staff.
Along with this, health checks and screenings of employees are being done regularly. If any employee shows symptoms, he is immediately sent home.
Masks are mandatory for customers too
Not just the staff, you too will have to wear a mask when you enter or exit the restaurant. While you can remove the mask while eating, you will have to wear it again as soon as the table is cleared or while paying the bill.
Some restaurants are even selling masks on-site for customers who forget to bring a mask. So it would be better to always keep an extra mask in your bag or pocket.
Dining on a reservation basis only
Most restaurants are now opening with limited capacity, which means the number of walk-in customers has been limited. In such a situation, making a reservation has now become almost mandatory.
California’s health guidelines also state that customers should make reservations in advance, so that the restaurant gets time for cleaning and crowds can be avoided.
Changed floor plan
6 feet distance has now become an important part of the new restaurant rules. That is, you can sit at the table normally with your partner, but the tables next to you have been distanced.
Restaurant owners are now hoping that allowing outdoor dining will help them compensate for the lack of indoor space.
Temperature check at entry
Now when you enter a restaurant, along with showing ID, your temperature can also be scanned.
Although this will not be applicable everywhere, but it can become common in big and popular restaurants or rooftop bars.
Use of high-tech technology
Restaurants are now resorting to technology to maintain social distancing. Such as:
Viewing digital menus by scanning QR codes
Ordering food from mobile
Paying from phone
Some places are also using old-fashioned blackboard menus to reduce hand-to-hand contact.
Limited number of customers allowed
Now restaurants will not be as crowded as before. Most restaurants are starting with 25% to 50% capacity, which will keep the atmosphere a little calmer and controlled.
But this means that restaurants will have less revenue, so it is even more important to tip the server well.
Open information about cleanliness
Before the lockdown, hardly any customer used to ask about the cleanliness of the restaurant, but now things have changed.
Now restaurants themselves are openly sharing their sanitation standards – such as:
- Cleaning after every table
- Regular sanitisation
- Hand washing stations
- Some restaurants are even sending emails to customers informing them about what they have to follow and what safety measures have been taken in the restaurant.
Takeaway and delivery will continue
Not everyone is ready to go to a restaurant and eat right now. So most restaurants will continue to offer takeaway and home delivery.
Now you will see:
- Ready-to-cook meal kits
- Creative carryout menus
- To-go cocktails and drinks
- Through all these services, restaurants are trying to maintain sales.
Conclusion:
COVID-19 has completely changed our world—and restaurant culture is no exception. While it may be a comforting experience to sit down and eat in a restaurant again, it’s important to remember that the new rules are in place for our safety and the safety of others.
