Restaurant safety is a common topic due to the current pandemic. Eating at a restaurant and food delivery pose risks during these times. While trying to make the day to day life feel more normal, it’s important to research and understand safety precautions involving food.
National Food Safety Month focuses on managing food related risks. This September brings attention to personal hygiene, cleaning and sanitation, preparing food safely, food safety procedures, and precautions surrounding COVID-19.
Things To Consider Before You Eat Out
Before you order food from a restaurant, be sure you’re comfortable with their cleaning and sanitation practices. Many restaurants are taking additional precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic to increase safety and reduce risks of food contamination and spreading the virus.
Not only are many restaurants encouraging employees to wash hands more frequently but are also requiring mask use when working. Employees often wear single use gloves when delivering food and drinks to tables. Additionally, restaurants promote social distancing by offering limited seating to safely separate customers. Staff are sanitizing all public areas, such as restrooms, doorways, and waiting areas, more frequently as well.
Numerous food delivery services are providing contact-less delivery, where food is left outside the front doorway of the delivery address. The delivery person calls, texts, or knocks to indicate the food has arrived and then waits at least six feet away from the doorway to confirm the customer received their order. A sanitized pen is provided when requiring a signature for payment.
Most importantly, be sure that if and when you do decide to eat out, that you are feeling well and haven’t been in contact with anyone who may have been recently ill. While restaurants are doing everything they can to stay open and safely serve customers, customers should also protect restaurant staff. If everyone does their part to encourage safety and cleanliness, less people, and businesses, will be affected by COVID-19.
The Merdes Law Firm has been helping injured Alaskans for more than 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us … We’re here if you do. ~ Ward Merdes
Source: COVID-19 “Guidance For Restaurant Operations” by ServSafe National Restaurant Association | Photo
