What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
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october 4-10, 2020 What's up! 43 Questions about this or other dining features? Contact Karen Rice at 479-571-6474 or krice@NWADG.com Facilities · Sanitizing. Restaurants reopening their facilities to customers for the first time in months have been advised to thoroughly detail-clean and sanitize their entire facilities. High-contact areas that would be touched by both employees and customers are particular points of emphasis, but even seldom-touched surfaces must be thoroughly and routinely cleaned. · Ventilation. The National Restaurant Association® advised restaurants to ensure ventilation systems were operating properly, but also advised restaurants to increase circulation of outdoor air as much as possible by opening windows and doors. · Encoraging contactless payment options. Contactless payments decrease the need for hand-to-hand contact, which can help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Social distancing · Floor plans. Local/state officials that have allowed restaurants to welcome in-person diners have mandated that seating arrangements be redesigned to ensure at least six feet of separation between table setups. · Physical guides. The National Restaurant Association® has advised restaurant owners to provide physical guides, including tape on floors and/ or sidewalks, to increase the likelihood that customers continue to follow social distancing guidelines when patronizing restaurants. · Require wait staff to wear masks. The National Restaurant Association® suggests restaurant owners require wait staff to wear face coverings even in areas where state/local officials have not made that mandatory. Doing so may ease customers' concerns and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that face coverings can help to slow the spread of the virus dramatically It's important to note that restaurants are bound by strict food handling and cleanliness regulations and undergo periodic inspections to make sure they are in compliance. Many restaurants also post their health grades in visible places for patrons to see. Despite the best health practices and ramped-up sanitation in recent months, some individuals may still have concerns about whether COVID-19 can be transmitted through the handling or consumption of restaurant fare. What the experts say To set the record straight, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Government of Canada note that the risk of getting COVID-19 from food handled or consumed from restaurants and takeout meals is believed to be very low. Currently, there is no evidence that food is associated with the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Similarly, the risk of infection from food products, food packaging or bags is also thought to be very low. No cases have been identified where infection originated by handling food-related items or shopping bags. Should anyone experience gastrointestinal distress after eating food, GI viruses like norovirus and hepatitis A or bacteria like E. coli and salmonella are typically to blame. SARS-Co-V-2, which causes COVID-19, is a respiratory virus. It cannot grow on food; it requires a living host like a person or animal to multiply. The Environmental Protection Agency regulates water treatment plants to ensure that treated water is safe to drink. The COVID-19 virus also has not been found in drinking water. What you can do While COVID-19 is highly unlikely to be spread from consuming or handling food, it's still essential to prioritize hygiene and follow sanitation practices when going to a restaurant. · Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling food and food packaging. Wash hands before using your hands to eat handheld foods, like sandwiches or burgers. · Use common cleaning and disinfection products to wipe down tables and chairs that are shared by the public. · Consider bringing your own reusable or disposable flatware as an added precaution. Opt for wrapped drinking straws instead of drinking directly from a glass. · Keep your distance from other people while dining, even outside. · Follow regulations regarding wearing a non-medical mask or face covering. Local restaurants operate in adherence to strict safe food handling codes and most are taking extra precautions to ensure a safe experience for customers. People who want to enjoy a meal at a restaurant can do so with the proper precautions in place.