Restaurant Seating During Re-Opening

Get Outlook for Android From: J Birch Sent: Wednesday, May 6, 2020 4:39:20 AM To: justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca <justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca>; Chrystia.Freeland@parl.gc.ca <Chrystia.Freeland@parl.gc.ca>; dujarric@un.org <dujarric@un.org>; GlobalOttawa@globalnews.ca <GlobalOttawa@globalnews.ca>; news@skynews.com <news@skynews.com>; tips@GlobalTVBC.com <tips@GlobalTVBC.com>; contact.nbcnews@nbcuni.com <contact.nbcnews@nbcuni.com>; Secretary@HHS.gov <Secretary@HHS.gov>; Sky.Today <Sky.Today@sky.uk>; media@gatesfoundation.org <media@gatesfoundation.org>; newsonline@ctv.ca <newsonline@ctv.ca>; nytnews@nytimes.com <nytnews@nytimes.com>; david.penberthy@news.com.au <david.penberthy@news.com.au>; jedmiston@nationalpost.com <jedmiston@nationalpost.com>; dir_enq@cso.gov.hk <dir_enq@cso.gov.hk> Subject: Restaurant Seating During Re-Opening (Opinion)

Hey Everyone, I was reading a story about how restaurants are concerned with seating and health requirements due to the Pandemic and I have a few ideas that might help. I was thinking that in relation to the patios you space out the seating to allow for distancing and place plexiglass between the patio and the street to allow greater protections between walkway traffic and seated customers. I would also see if you can expand your patios to adjacent areas or rooftops to allow more capacity and room for seating. Additionally, for internal seating I would space them out and place plexiglass between each booth to create cubicles to keep them as separate as possible. I would also have the bathroom regularly sanitized and offer more pickup and delivery options even if your were a dine in restaurant prior. If your full to capacity, the hostess can take their order to be delivered to their homes so in case you cant seat them they can still enjoy the food. Finally I would require masks and gloves at any VLT machines and I would move to a digital menu. The customer can scan the table code and it links them to the restaurants menu where they can decide on their order or even place the table order directly using their phones. This limits the waitresses need to travel as much and improves ordering efficiency, the waitress gets the order at her station, sends it to the kitchen and begins to prepare the drink orders and other materials for the upcoming meal. Customers can even pay and tip directly from the app so the waitress can reduce contact points between her and the customers to limit overall viral risk. Finally, I would space out the bar stools and have plexiglass covering any open prep areas to ensure no airborne cross contamination on food or drink areas. Each restaurant is different but this should help with greater efficiency and viral protections. Stay Safe, Stay Sanitized and Stay Supportive, John Ames Birch @johneames2