Calgary restaurants offer dine-in service amid coronavirus pandemic

As part of phase one of Alberta’s relaunch strategy, businesses like restaurants, cafes, pubs, and bars for table service were given a go signal to operate again but they must strictly observe health guidelines set for them. (File photo: @seitamaaphotography/Unsplash)

After being forced to shut down due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, some restaurants in Calgary were starting to reopen, offering dine-in services to their customers.

As part of phase one of Alberta’s relaunch strategy, businesses like restaurants, cafes, pubs, and bars for table service were given a go signal to operate again but they must strictly observe health guidelines set for them.

Restaurants, cafes, pubs, and bars that are launching dine-in services could open but at no more than 50 percent seating capacity. Their outdoor patio seating areas should also not exceed 50 percent capacity.

The tables and chairs must be arranged in a way that a two-meter distance will be maintained between each dining party, and that aisles must be wide enough so that people won’t have difficulty in keeping a physical distance from one another.

Owners are also instructed to install physical barriers where tables cannot be adequately separated, such as using dividers between booths. The number of patron sitting in a large table should not be more than six. Table condiments, like salt and pepper shakers, must be removed.

In case music is played inside the shop, the volume should be low so that customers won’t have to lean to hear each other.

In compliance with safety precautions, Jon Molyneux, vice president of Concord Group which operates National on 17th avenue told CTV news that all their employees will be wearing masks and that they will be “very vigilant of the sanitation of high touch areas.”

While others are relaunching their shops, some have chosen to wait a little longer despite the province’s green light.

Angel Black, a server at Galaxie Dinner located on 11th Street S.W., was quoted as saying in a Calgary Herald report, “We don’t really want to be the first kids in the pool, so we’re just going to play it by ear and continue on with our delivery and takeout for now.”

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney earlier said they are targeting to move on to Stage 2 of the province’s relaunch strategy on June 19, which would allow more businesses and services to reopen.