A risk guide to help restaurants as they confront the challenge of reopening

Restaurants have struggled in the wake of the outbreak of the novel coronavirus COVID-19. As communities prepare to reopen, customers cannot wait for their favorite restaurants to reopen, and restaurant owners are looking forward to welcoming guests back to their establishments. As much as everyone is looking forward to restaurants reopening on a wide scale, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention note that the more an individual interacts with others, and the longer that interaction, the higher the risk of spreading COVID-19 becomes. Managing that reality with their desire to reopen their businesses can be challenging for restaurant owners. To help restaurant owners confront that challenge, the CDC offers the following guide to help the proprietors of these

vital businesses gauge the safest way to reopen their facilities to hungry customers. • Lowest risk: Food service limited to drive-through, delivery, takeout, and curbside pickup. • More risk: Drivethrough, delivery, takeout, and curbside pickup emphasized. 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. More information about reopening in the face of the pandemic is available at www.cdc. gov.