Restaurants reopen, but footfalls are missing
BENGALURU:
After nearly 80 days in forced hibernation, restaurants and hotels fired up their kitchens anew on Monday. But the pre-lockdown buzz and footfalls are missing. That could be because customers have still to overcome their Covid-related fear of public spaces, or because sanitary restrictions have dulled the pleasure of eating out.
All restaurants and hotels must comply with the guidelines laid down by the Ministry if Home Affairs, and the ‘new normal’ will take some time for staff and patrons to get used to. This explains why even hugely popular eateries wore a near-deserted look on the first day of business.
Restaurants have to do a balancing act of attracting customers while at the same time not falling foul of government guidelines on social distancing. In Vidyarthi Bhavan, a popular city outlet, fibre glass partitions have been installed on tables as a way to maintain social distancing.
Self-service is out of the question, and masks are mandatory for customers and servers alike. In many hotels, thermal screening is obligatory before a customer can enter.
Earlier, when people walked into a restaurant, they would mull over where to sit and what to order. However, post-Covid they are discouraged from waiting inside till a table gets free.
The government has recommended that kitchens be sanitised frequently, and that staff wear face masks and gloves and avoid physical contact with patrons.
Restaurants and hotels in pre-Covid days had a choice of plastic, steel, glass and ceramic plates to serve food to customers. But now, many are resorting to single-use plates and glasses made of betelnut and other paper products. In addition, consumers are encouraged to take away parcels rather than dine in.
Some of the MHA-mandated guidelines are:
- Wearing masks is mandatory.
- There should be soap and sanitizer for hand washing.
- Seating arrangements should not exceed 50%.
- Tissues should be used for hand washing, not cloth towels.
- Valet parking staff must wear masks and sanitise the steering wheel and gear shift.
- ACs should be run between 24 and 30 degrees, and natural ventilation is preferable.
- Hotel doors and toilets should be sanitised frequently.
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