After spending months quarantined at home, most of us want to venture out now and lead normal lives. Dining out is one of the things that we missed most during lockdown and some of us even did it as soon as the restaurants opened. We can’t really say how safe or unsafe it is, but if you are planning to visit a restaurant soon, it won’t hurt knowing some safety guidelines proposed by a recognised body.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shared some guiding principles for restaurant and bars and we can much to take away from these to help make our visit safer.

(Also Read: Should You Avoid Dining Out During Coronavirus? Here’s What You Need To Know)

^{Restaurants should take all safety precautions in the wake of Coronavirus pandemic.} 

CDC also shared some safety considerations for ways in which operators can protect employees, customers, and communities and slow the spread of COVID-19. The risk of COVID-19 spread increases in a restaurant or bar setting as follows:

Lowest Risk: Food service limited to drive-through, delivery, take-out, and curb-side pick-up.

More Risk: Drive-through, delivery, take-out, and curb-side pick-up was emphasised as a bit risky. On-site dining limited to outdoor seating. Seating capacity reduced to allow tables to be spaced at least six feet apart.

Even More Risk: On-site dining with both indoor and outdoor seating. Seating capacity reduced to allow tables to be spaced at least six feet apart.

Highest Risk: On-site dining with both indoor and outdoor seating. Seating capacity not reduced and tables not spaced at least six feet apart.

It has been made clear that COVID-19 is mostly spread by respiratory droplets released when people talk, cough, or sneeze. The virus may spread to hands from a contaminated surface too. Considering all this, always wear a mask, clean hands with sanitiser after touching surfaces and before eating, and follow social distancing.