Many restaurants and cafes have resumed their operations in the UK. While the threat of COVID-19 still exists, it’s believed that these businesses can operate safely by following appropriate food safety precautions.
If you run a restaurant, here are 5 safety measures you can take to reduce the likelihood of your staff and customers contracting COVID-19.
1) Masks for staff
People going into restaurants are currently not required to wear masks, as they are considered impractical while eating. However, your restaurant staff should be required to wear masks when they are handling food items.
This is a great way to prevent infected staff from spreading COVID-19 germs onto the food they are preparing and serving to customers.
Most people are already familiar with the practice of wearing masks, so asking employees to wear one shouldn’t be an issue. As a restaurant owner, you should ensure your staff has access to fresh, clean masks everyday so that they do not have to reuse old ones.
2) Sneeze guards
Sneeze guards are another safety measure that is quickly catching on in both public and private spaces. These are glass panes that can be set up in front of food preparation stations to shield items from sneezing or coughing customers.
Custom sneeze guards for restaurants have existed for decades, but they have grown in importance during the pandemic. If you run a restaurant business, you can have sneeze guards installed by fit out companies Manchester.
3) Social distancing screens
Restaurants can also reduce the likelihood of groups of customers spreading COVID-19 by installing social distancing screens in between tables. These are large clear panels made from perspex or acrylic glass that can sit static in one place or moved around as needed.
Social distancing screens could be especially helpful for restaurants that do not have outdoor seating, as the risk of contracting COVID-19 is usually higher in indoor spaces.
4) Food handling procedures
Restaurant staff can also reduce the spread of COVID-19 by following special food handling procedures. Practices, such as keeping raw meat separate from other foods and perishable items, can go a long way in protecting others. In addition to this, all meats should be cooked to a temperature that is high enough to kill germs and bacteria.
If your restaurant menu features items containing uncooked or undercooked meats, it is recommended to avoid serving them during this time.
5) Encourage take-out
Many restaurants closed their dining halls during the early days of the pandemic and offered take-out services instead. This strategy has proven to be successful in many cases.
For this reason, sit-down restaurants should continue offering take-out and delivery services to reduce the likelihood of customers catching the virus.
If you are interested in setting up safety equipment, such as sneeze guards and social distancing screens at your establishment, get in touch with fit out companies. Manchester and surrounding areas have many retailers, such as Spectrum Interiors, who offer these products.