Restaurant Guidelines
General Guidelines
- Face coverings are strongly encouraged for all persons (employee and guest) in all public places where close proximity to others is anticipated. Businesses and organizations may determine to require the use of face coverings by those on premise. There is increasing evidence that cloth face coverings help slow or prevent the spread of COVID-19. Face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or anyone unable to remove the mask without assistance
- Persons should stay home when feeling ill
- Any person who has symptoms consistent with COVID-19 or who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 must isolate at home for 10 days from the onset of their symptoms (or the date they were tested, if asymptomatic) AND must be fever-free (without the use of fever-reducing medications) AND have improvement in symptoms for at least 24 hours
- Any person who has been a close contact (within 6 feet for 15 minutes or longer) of a person with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 should quarantine at home for a period of 14 days from their last exposure to that individual. A negative COVID test does not affect this quarantine requirement
- Screen for COVID-19 symptoms, or ask individuals to self-screen
- Symptoms include: cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, sore throat, fever (temperature of 100.4 degrees or greater), chills, new loss of taste or smell, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
- Take appropriate precautions to maintain the confidentiality of health information
- Mitigate exposure in the workplace by implementing social distancing practices to the greatest extent possible
- Take into account critical factors such as venue capacity and physical characteristics, type of activity involved, and location (indoor vs. outdoor) to properly assess risk and exercise good faith judgment in maintaining appropriate social distancing for each unique situation
- Such measures could include: spacing workstations appropriately; limiting capacity of gatherings in confined, indoor spaces; utilizing larger and/or outdoor spaces; limiting congregation in common and break areas; utilizing virtual/remote capabilities where possible; allowing work from home where appropriate; and/or modified scheduling
- Consider the use of barriers at counters or between workstations where helpful
- Improve ventilation for confined, indoor spaces. Circulate outdoor air where possible and when code compliance and security may be maintained
- Increase hygiene practices—encourage frequent handwashing with soap and water, make hand sanitizer (60% alcohol) readily available, encourage practicing good respiratory etiquette when coughing or sneezing and avoiding touching one’s face
- Implement cleaning and disinfection practices according to CDC recommendations, with frequent disinfection of shared/common or high-touch surfaces
- Plan for potential COVID-19 cases and work with health department officials (including observing isolation/quarantine protocols, assisting with contact tracing, planning for personnel absences or remote work, and deep cleaning facilities). Notify the local health department of employee positive cases and cooperate with the local health department in notifying close contacts
- If a facility becomes aware that a person has a confirmed case of COVID-19:
- Close off areas used by the person who is sick. Open outside doors and windows to increase air circulation in the areas
- Wait up to 24 hours or as long as possible before you clean or disinfect to allow respiratory droplets to settle before cleaning and disinfecting
- Clean and disinfect all areas used by the person who is sick, such as offices, bathrooms, and common areas
- If more than 7 days have passed since the person who is sick visited or used the facility, additional cleaning and disinfection is not necessary
- Educate persons about COVID-19 with signage (resources available from ERG and CDC)
- Use signage, floor markings or other cues to direct human traffic flow and manage lines
- Consider appropriate precautions for people at increased risk of severe illness from COVID
- Increase remote, curbside, pickup, and/or delivery options to minimize contact and maintain social distancing. Use contactless methods where practical (e.g., payment, check-in, etc.)
- Be mindful of applicable state or local COVID-19 regulations or orders and ensure your operations facilitate compliance
- Evaluate the profile of customer and employee engagement with the venue and other persons at such venue to make appropriate adaptations as necessary to protect against COVID-19, even if not recommended or described in this document
- Take steps to ensure that all mechanical, electrical, and water systems are properly functioning and safe for use after a prolonged facility shutdown
- Covered employers and employees should be aware of the provisions of the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which allows for paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons, such as for self-quarantining or seeking a medical diagnosis for COVID-19 symptoms
Revised: October 1, 2020
Industry Guidelines
- The CDC has indicated that risk of COVID-19 spread increases in a restaurant or bar settings where on-site, indoor dining occurs, particularly when large groups are gathered and when tables are not spaced at least 6 feet apart
- Tables should be spaced 6 feet apart. Attempt to create separation between booths, install barriers between booths, or seat customers in a manner that skips seats to create empty space. Appropriately separate groups at shared/communal tables. Use counter seating with caution and, if used, maintain 6 feet between individual parties
- Face coverings should be worn by patrons except while eating or drinking
- Require social distancing in waiting areas (consider outdoor waiting areas or the use of text alerts, etc.) and restrooms
- Bars, bar areas, night clubs, and limited service restaurants should seat tables and parties separated by at least 6 feet and limit gathering by unseated persons. Establishments may need to consider layout modifications and/or operate at reduced capacity in order to achieve appropriate social distancing. Minimize walk-up customers if bar or counter service is offered
- Use available outdoor space, as permitted by regulatory bodies
- Frequently disinfect customer and front-of-house contact surfaces, including menus, tables/chairs, door handles, POS systems, pens, customer paging equipment, and other high-touch surfaces. Limit tabletop items
- Minimize use of self-serve buffets, and if used, minimize congregation by customers and implement additional disinfection and safety practices
- Avoid offering live music unless appropriate precautions are taken. Research and the CDC suggest that activities like singing may project respiratory droplets in greater quantity and over greater distance, increasing the risk of COVID-19 transmission, particularly with prolonged exposure. Maintain at least 15 feet of separation—and more if possible—between audience members and performers such as vocalists and singers
- The use of gloves should not be considered a replacement for frequent handwashing
- Refer to AFDO's Considerations for Specific Types of Self-Service
- Refer to CDC Considerations for Restaurants and Bars