What you need to know about eating in a restaurant during the Coronavirus pandemic

Several dining establishments in the U.S are determined to re-open in the next few weeks.

In reaction, The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention has released a list of guidelines that must be adhered to by commercial institutions operating during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Arrange tables and seating to have at least six feet of space between customers both indoors and outdoors. Customers sitting at counters should be spaced at least six feet apart.
• No more than 50% of maximum occupancy will be allowed inside the building, or 12 people per 1,000 feet if the restaurant does not have a fire code number. The number must be posted in a conspicuous place.
• Post signs reminding customers and staff to social distance and follow their 3 Ws: wearing a face covering, waiting six feet apart, and washing hands frequently.
• Put markings on the floor in high-traffic areas, such as cash registers or waiting areas, noting six-feet spacings

Maintaining distance between patrons appears to be the most important protective measure suggested by medical professionals. The problem is the six feet rule established in the early days of the coronavirus crisis is actually based on outdated information published more than 40 years ago…