This afternoon the California Department of Public Health and CAL/OSHA released new guidelines for dine-in restaurants as we "toggle the dimmer" and work to "meet the moment" in order to reopen businesses across the state.
The order lists the following as key steps to ensure the safety of workers and the public:
- Physical distancing to the maximum extent possible
- Use of face coverings by employees (where respiratory protection is not required) and customers/clients
- Frequent handwashing and regular cleaning and disinfection
- Training employees on these and other elements of the COVID-19 prevention plan
Some places like brewpubs and bars are being told to remain closed until they are allowed to fully reopen, unless they offer dine-in meals:
Brewpubs, breweries, bars, pubs, craft distilleries, and wineries should remain closed until those establishments are allowed to resume modified or full operation unless they are offering sit-down, dine-in meals. Alcohol can only be sold in the same transaction as a meal.
Dine-in restaurants, brewpubs, breweries, bars, pubs, craft distilleries, and wineries that provide sit-down meals should follow the restaurant guidance below and should continue to encourage takeout and delivery service whenever possible.
Brewpubs, breweries, bars, pubs, craft distilleries, and wineries that do not provide sit-down meals themselves, but can contract with another vendor to do so, can serve dine-in meals provided both businesses follow the guidance below and alcohol is only sold in the same transaction as a meal.
It sounds like going out to eat may be a drastically different experience than we're used to for a while. @ForkReporter Neil Saavedra joined us today to discuss how this might impact the restaurant industry, and what we can look for going forward: