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As restaurants begin to reopen amid the novel coronavirus outbreak, including opening patios and outdoor dining rooms for limited seating, many of us who have not eaten restaurant food in months will venture out for the first time.
But while it may be true that diners are more safe eating outdoors (due to the significant difference in volume of air outside as opposed even to a well-ventilated indoor restaurant environment that could trap and recirculate COVID19 particles), experts such as food safety consultant and former public health official in the Denver metro area Steven Chevalier warn that you must continue to follow social distancing guidelines closely.
We spoke to Chevalier, and others, about what health experts say are the worst mistakes you should avoid when dining outdoors right now:
READ MORE: The Scary Mistake You’re Probably Making When Getting Curbside Pickup, According To Health Experts
Slipping up on basic social distancing protocols. "Customers still need to be conscious of social distancing of at least 6 feet when waiting for tables or when seated between parties, and also continuing to wear face masks or coverings between eating or drinking," Chevalier advises.
Eating with your hands. "We inadvertently touch so many things at a restaurant, such as menus, glasses, silverware, condiment containers, etc.," ENT physician and facial reconstructive surgeon Dr. Gary Linkov explains. "If you do happen to touch an item at the restaurant which has been contaminated with coronavirus, bringing your hands to your face increases your risk of acquiring infection."
Dining with a large group. "This may lead to people leaning over the table in order to communicate, resulting in the spread respiratory droplets among close contacts," Dr. Linkov explains. "Additionally, sharing food is not recommended, as an infected individual may contaminate the food or plate and touching these may facilitate spread of infection."
Getting a false sense of security from face masks. "While consumer-based face masks/coverings do reduce the transmission rate of COVID19, they do not completely eliminate the possibility; even in an outdoor environment, the right conditions could effectively carry virus particles on droplets in the air for extended distances past six feet," Chevalier advises.
Touching table items. "While restaurants are diligently cleaning and sanitizing tabletops and seats between parties, customers need to do their part as well by making sure they are not touching any commonly touched items that may have been accidentally left on the table (sugar containers, vases, reusable menus, mini menu boards)," Chevalier warns.
Not washing hands. Restaurant goers must, "Wash their hands for at least 20 seconds with warm water or soap before eating and after leaving the establishment," Chevalier advises. "If hand washing cannot be achieved, using hand sanitizer will help to reduce the amount of virus particles that could be spread by the hands, but won't be as effective as proper hand washing."
