After close to two months of being practically shutdown in an effort to keep residents safe during the Coronavirus pandemic, many Miami-Dade and Broward county restaurants are reopening their doors. Here are how restaurant owners are taking extra measures to keep their employees and customers safe.
Restaurants are back in business. Komodo in Brickell opened their dining room last week for the first time in over two months.
“Our team is really focused on coming out of this better. We have new menu items, we have new procedures, and we’re looking at everything. It’s a pause but we’re excited to get back in it,” said Dave Grutman, Owner of Groot Hospitality.
Even though eating out may never be the same in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, business owners are doing what they can to make sure their employees and customers are safe.
“We’re going overboard. Masks, gloves, extra cleaning things. We’re 50% six feet apart inside, and outside, again, six feet apart from each other and no groups bigger than four,” said Grutman.
Grutman installed floor decals at all of his restaurants to remind everyone to stay at least six feet apart from one another. Other adjustments include hand sanitizer dispensers at every entrance and mobile app menus.
“We actually did this barcode, so you can shoot the menu without someone handing you a menu now. We’re doing new technology, just so we can limit the touching of everything," said Dave.
In Miramar, Vicky Bakery taking creative safety measures by installing plexiglass dividers at every table.
“All of our employees must wear masks. We have enacted a no mask, no service policy in our stores. We have markers on the floor at all of our bakeries to make sure everybody can have a good idea of how to maintain social distancing,” said Alejandro Santiago, Co-Founder of Vicky's Enterprises.
In both counties, face coverings are required when you walk into a restaurant, but not while you’re seated. Restaurant bars are closed. Each table will have a limit of four people unless you’re with members of the same household then it’s capped at six. As mentioned earlier, six foot distancing and reservations are recommended.
“I would love to hug everyone that gets in here, of course I can’t. But we’re just excited to see the people’s faces and seeing our team get back to work," added Grutman.
Restaurant and food establishments continue to operate at 50% capacity. If you’re a restaurant owner or a customer and want to make sure the right guidelines are being followed, click here for more information.
