Dine-in to resume from Wednesday

SHANGHAI will reopen dine-in services from Wednesday despite sporadic community COVID-19 infections popping up across the city.

Dine-in services will be restored in the subdistricts and towns that have no medium-risk areas, and report zero community COVID-19 infections within a week, the city’s commerce commission said yesterday.

Diners must have a 72hour negative nucleic acid test report. They must also scan the venue code, wear a mask and receive temperature checks to enter the restaurants.

“Local district governments will decide which regions can resume dine-in services according to evaluations of the pandemic situation,” said Lai Xiaoyi, a commission official.

Dine-in services at local restaurants have been suspended since the city initiated its massive COVID19 lockdown and control measures in early April.

Most eateries are still only allowed to provide takeaways despite the city having emerged from its long lockdown for nearly a month. Customers have to enjoy their takeaways at outdoor seats of the eateries or stairs at some shopping complexes.

Only some eateries in three suburban districts — Jinshan, Fengxian and Chongming — have restored dine-in services in a trial operation.

After the citywide reopening, the capacity will be limited to 70 percent at large- and medium-sized restaurants with business areas covering more than 150 square meters and half at smaller eateries.

Dining tables will be rearranged to be at least a meter apart. The eateries are also required to use serving spoons and chopsticks as well as control their dining time to within an hour and a half, Lai said.

Restaurants must apply to the district’s COVID-19 prevention authority and reopen the dine-in services after an inspection and evaluation.

A preventative disinfection must be conducted before the resumption of service. The tables, chairs and tableware must be disinfected and cleaned after each set of customers.

Employees are required to take full COVID-19 vaccines and those eligible must get the booster jab.