What COVID-19 Health Regulations Means for Restaurants

By Michael Caglianone, Contributor

Throughout the country, as the economy reopens, restaurants and bars are learning to adapt to a whole new world of protocols and procedures.

COVID rules and regulations are sure to cause disruptions to normal operations, and it’s important for owners and operations staff to develop strategies to master these new standards. 

Along with adhering to rules about capacity, maintaining social distancing, using disposable menus, and ensuring proper sanitization, servers must now get accustomed to wearing masks and gloves.

Mask Requirements: Aesthetics & Accessibility

One of the most effective means of flattening the curve during restaurant and bar re-openings has been the use of face masks. The CDC has suggested that people reserve medical-grade masks -- like N95 and KN95 -- for front-line medical workers. This makes cloth face coverings or 3-ply disposable masks, the best option for non-medical businesses and consumers.

3-ply masks are the most cost-effective option and more protective than cloth masks. As a general rule in a restaurant setting, 3-ply masks are single-use, meaning they should be disposed of after each shift. Alternatively, cloth face coverings can be laundered and reused, reducing waste and saving money; they can also be more easily customized with your restaurant’s branding.

Buying Masks in Bulk Brings Big Benefits

Regardless of the type of mask, it is important that your staff’s PPE are effective, accessible, and attractive. For these reasons, owners should seriously consider buying masks in bulk and providing them to employees. That way, staff doesn’t have to worry about getting their hands on a mask prior to their shift (or forgetting it at home), and the owner can control the level of quality mask their team uses.

Establishments that place importance on maintaining brand standards must consider the aesthetics of wearing masks and should revise dress codes accordingly.  Masks should match uniforms and compliment restaurant décor.  Surgical blue may not be the best option, as patrons are headed out for some fun, not a doctor’s appointment. Also, if left to their own devices, staff might come up with a hodgepodge of masks ranging from bandannas to those with political slogans.  Black or white is always a safe choice offering a clean, streamlined look.

Many states are also requiring patrons to wear facial coverings when entering and leaving the establishment. Restaurant and bar owners may want to have some extra masks on hand at the door to offer to patrons who might show up without one.   

As we prepare ourselves for the post-COVID era, it's going to be essential for restaurant operators to remain vigilant in our efforts to protect one another and ourselves. Restaurants and bars, at least for the foreseeable future, must make it a top priority to provide staff with effective and attractive personal protective equipment. Doing so is simply smart business.

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