A month ago, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that there was no evidence for COVID-19 transmission via food or food packaging. Now that it is an official pandemic, restaurants all over the world are scrambling to improve the safety and health of both its staff and customers. Social distancing is a public health tactic followed to slow the spread of the disease and this has places like schools, offices and common venues like restaurants have been hugely impacted. With a sharp decline in sales, several restaurants and eateries have been forced to close or lay off staff.

Not everyone has given up dining out yet right now. While there is no fail-safe way to prevent a coronavirus infection, you can always follow some basic steps to protect yourself and your loved ones while dining out at a restaurant.

“Currently there is no guidance from the CDC that indicates the general population should avoid eating out, but individuals should still follow general guidance on risk assessment before deciding whether or not to go to a restaurant,” the EATER quoted Amy R. Sapkota, a professor of applied environmental health at the University Of Maryland School Of Public Health.

Here are a few tips if you’re planning to dine out:

  • First off, if you are sick or beginning to experience any sort of respiratory symptoms such as sneezing or coughing, refrain from dining out. Not only will you spread the infection to others but you will also be more susceptible to infections since your immune system is already fighting an illness at present, according to Michael Knight, an assistant professor of medicine at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, mentioned the Eater.
  • Stay flexible. Make decisions right as you go out and choose places that are less crowded, mentioned Washington post. Go to restaurants that have fewer people and there is a greater distance separating yourself from other diners.
  • You can choose to drop in at odd hours or choose eateries with lower foot traffic.
  • Limit your dining group size and see to that you do not sit directly next to someone.
  • Dine out at places where even the self-serve buffets have servers since the serving utensils won't be handled by multiple people.
  • Avoid going to busy buffets where diners queue up to get their food.
  • And, as you already know, wash your hands and maintain good hygiene practices.
Restaurants where men and women mingle have been shut down, scissor-wielding militia have policed men's hairstyles, and rebel forces have patrolled college campuses to enforce dress codes
Restaurants where men and women mingle have been shut down, scissor-wielding militia have policed men's hairstyles, and rebel forces have patrolled college campuses to enforce dress codes AFP / MOHAMMED HUWAIS
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