As Ohio restaurants get ready to open their outdoor dining spaces on Friday, May 15 and indoor dining rooms on Thursday, May 21, the Ohio Restaurant Association has crafted a pledge to help both customers and staff feel safe returning to dining out.
The Ohio Restaurant Promise is an agreement between restaurant owners and operators and Ohio health officials.
“We are committed to working with Ohio’s restaurants to help ensure everyone’s safety as we welcome employees and guests back to our patios this week and inside our dining rooms on May 21,” said John Barker, president and CEO of the Ohio Restaurant Association. “That’s why it is critical for our industry to align around the Ohio Restaurant Promise and to adhere to the highest level of safety by following the new requirements and recommendations as outlined by our Administration.”
The promise says restaurants will commit to following state and local health department guidelines as well as the guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to keep people safe from COVID-19. There will be social distancing and regular sanitization and employees will be wearings masks and washing their hands regularly.
The promise also asks guests to follow those health and safety guidelines, stay away if they've been exposed to COVID-19 and consider carry-out or delivery if they are in a high-risk group.
The Ohio Restaurant Association is asking eateries to show the promise to their staff, display it for customers and register their restaurant at the Ohio Restaurant Promise website. (As of right now, there doesn't appear to be a way to check to see which restaurants have signed up.)
“Ohio’s restaurants are up to the challenge and are eager to welcome employees and guests back,” said Barker. “As our restaurants begin a responsible restart, we know this will be a long road to recovery as the past two months have been devastating to our industry.”
