WHAT ABOUT SOUTH AFRICAN RESTAURANTS?

Interior designer Irene

Kyriacou, who designed Joburg restaurants Marble and Saint, says restaurants will need to remove some tables to create distance between diners. “Sadly the downside is a loss of seat capacity,” she says – a factor that’s already causing closures for smaller restaurants. Irene suggests adding free-standing screens – “planters, wall panels in wood, glass or metal”. And in the long term? “Outside dining areas will become more popular. Interior spaces will require very good ventilation and air-purifying systems, and the floorplan must include some divisions in the form of screens, semi-private booths or banquettes, tiered seating areas and floor levels with considered screens. Designers will have to understand the human perception of safety to give the diner the feeling that their wellbeing is a priority. Going forward, we are going to see more clever ways to give guests a unique experience.”