Cafe and Restaurant Reopening Checklists

Cafe and restaurant businesses planning to reopen may encounter issues depending on their location, PPE availability, people management, and implementation of new precautionary measures. Business owners have the responsibility to plan ahead and manage health and safety risks as they resume their business operations, especially as government restrictions and guidelines evolve. 

In this article

• Cafe and Restaurant Reopening Tips
• 4 Key Areas to Inspect Prior to Cafe and Restaurant Reopening
• Technology to Help Streamline Reopening Operations
• Featured Cafe and Restaurant Reopening Checklists

Cafe and Restaurant Reopening Tips

Cafes and restaurants have begun reopening their doors to the public when it is safe to do so. This doesn’t guarantee, however, that the ongoing risks of the pandemic have materially changed, so it is paramount for businesses to ensure safety before commencing business reopening. Restrictions or policies change depending on the progressive number of COVID-19 positive cases. The following tips can help in planning a business reopening:

Employees

• Revise employee policies and require employees to wear face masks and shields at all times.
• As part of the new routine, employees should practice frequent hand washing and strictly comply with hygienic practices.

Payment Policy

• Encourage customers to use cashless transactions.
• Use QR codes and other contactless payment systems to avoid physical contact.

Cafe and Restaurant Design

• Maximize the use of kiosks and come up with ways to order that avoid physical contact as much as possible.
• Space out tables and install dividers to practice physical distancing.
• Cap the number of customers who can dine for a period of time.
• Transform indoor spaces into smaller areas.
• Invest in outdoor seating as it is safer than contained spaces.

Security

• Assign personnel to check customer and employees’ temperature before entering business premises.
• Use full-body disinfecting systems before entering the premises.
• Create customer logs and have customers register with their names and addresses for possible contact tracing.

4 Key Areas to Inspect Prior to Cafe and Restaurant Reopening

It is crucial for business owners to ensure the safety of their premises prior to reopening their business. Conducting inspections is necessary to secure a healthy environment for their customers and employees. The following key areas should be inspected prior to cafe or restaurant reopening:

Dining Hall

This is the most crowded area in a restaurant or cafe because this is where customers gather to enjoy their food. It is important to disinfect this area and redesign it according to physical and social distancing guidelines.

Kitchen

The kitchen is the center of food preparation and other services. It is critical to keep it hygienic to avoid food contamination and foodborne illnesses. Sanitize all kitchen tools and ensure all staff adheres to hygiene and safety procedures.

Stockroom

During the temporary closure, there may have been perishable goods left in the stockroom that have gone beyond their shelf life. Check your inventory and look at the expiry dates of all stock items and dispose of them if necessary. Check for pest infestation and ensure all stocks are in good condition.

HVAC Systems

This is often overlooked when reopening a business, but it is important to address the issue of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Check the ventilation systems and observe if there is airtightness within the property. This can lead to customer suffocation or even fatalities. Also, check the water systems for the visibility of Legionella bacteria.