Dining Out During Social Distancing - 5 Great Tips to Lower Transmission Risks

For many of us the Corona Virus has impacted our daily lives in many ways. From the grocery stores to school closings, we find that we must make major adjustments to our lifestyles and daily routines. During these trying times, small businesses are often hit the hardest, with some never fully recovering. One thing we can do to help support our local communities is our continued patronage to small businesses. There are plenty of small restaurants in need and there are many ways to dine and remain safe. Keep reading for 5 helpful tips for keeping the Corona out while dining out.

Good Hygiene & Hand Washing

Yes, I know we have all heard to wash our hands for at least twenty seconds and make sure to rinse properly.

But good hygiene is more than a bit of washing or hand sanitizes.

When dining out of your home in the wake of Corona, it is important to consider all the surfaces your hands and body may come into contact with.

Touching door handles, using cutlery, and being surrounded by larger groups are factors that increase your risk of transmitting the virus.

One way of reducing this risk is to create your own sanitizing solution and using it on contact surfaces.

How to Make Bleach Solution:

1/3 Cup Bleach per Gallon of Water

or

2 Tablespoons of Bleach per Quart of Water

When entering a restaurant, make sure to wipe door handles, table, glasses, and utensils with this diluted sanitizing solution. In addition to consistent hand washing, this practice will greatly lower your risk of transmission.

Avoid Buffet Dining

As we discussed in the previous tip, it is imperative to keep your hands clean during this outbreak.

Buffet style dining is discouraged because many of the serving utensils are being handled by other guests and you are literally putting your health in their hands.

I'm not sure about you, but I don't trust strangers to be concerned about my health, so until this outbreak is under control it is best to just avoid these type of places all together.

Order Take Out

One of the fastest growing sub sectors within the restaurant industry is the home delivery services. Companies such as Uber Eats, Grub Hub, Post mates, and Door Dash, are some of the most popular and their software is user friendly.

With Covid-19 severely impacting this services, drivers and small businesses desperately need your delivery orders.

To stay safe, we recommend using their no contact delivery options (where available) to reduce the risk of transmission during delivery. Drivers will pick up your order and leave it directly at your door further reducing your risk of transmission.

Limit Use of Cash

Handling cash should be limited to reduce your risk. Money typically exchanges many hands and carries A LOT of bacteria. Giving and accepting money during the outbreak is high risk behavior and should be avoided when possible.

If you must handle money, consider using gloves and avoid contact near the face. After handling money, remember to wash your hands properly.

Ask restaurants what is their cleaning procedure and schedule

Be sure to ask any potential dining restaurants how often they clean and sanitize their restaurant, menus, door handles etc.

This knowledge can help alleviate contamination concerns or alert you to restaurants you should not be dining at.

Business owners want to keep themselves and their customers safe and it is important to know the plan to that commitment.

Overall, there are several ways we can all reduce our risk. We at Bigg E BBQ hope you are remaining safe and that these tips may come in handy for you.

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