When reopening this month, restaurants and cafes should favor the use of terraces and service takeaways and should encourage prior scheduling, according to guidance from the General Directorate of Health (DGS) released today.
In the orientation, the DGS sets out the various measures that food and beverage establishments must adopt when they reopen on May 18th.
Among the measures to be adopted, the health authority highlights the reduction of the maximum capacity of the establishment, in order to ensure the recommended physical distance of two meters between people, favoring the use of outdoor areas, such as terraces (whenever possible) and the take-away service.
According to the DGS, "the arrangement of tables and chairs must guarantee a distance of at least two meters between people, but cohabitants may sit face to face or side by side, at a shorter distance".
Companies must prevent customers from modifying the orientation of tables and chairs, allowing employees to do so, but always ensuring the necessary distance.
DGS also recommends that, whenever possible and applicable, prior scheduling to reserve seats is promoted and encouraged.
On the other hand, standing positions are not recommended, such as operations of the self-serviceas buffets.
The cleaning and disinfection of spaces must comply with the guidelines previously issued by the DGS, and the owners must disinfect, at least six times a day, all areas of frequent contact (door handles, washbasin faucets, tables, benches, chairs, handrails).
The same must be done with "critical equipment (such as automatic payment terminals and individual menus", after each use).
The guidance also establishes the need for hand hygiene with an alcohol-based solution or with soap and water at the entrance and exit of the establishment by customers, who must respect the distance between people of at least two meters and comply with the respiratory tag measurements.
Customers should also consider using a mask, except during the meal period, avoid touching unnecessary surfaces and objects, and prefer electronic payment.
The document also establishes the procedures to be adopted by employees of catering and beverage establishments, namely the use of a mask during the period of work with multiple people.
The DGS recalls that «the establishments of restaurants and beverages, due to their characteristics, can be places of transmission of infection by SARS-CoV-2, either by direct and/or indirect contact».
Therefore, he argues, additional measures "should be taken to ensure the minimization of disease transmission in these contexts."
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