Creating a Safe Outdoor Dining Experience This Winter

The COVID-19 pandemic has seriously threatened the bar and restaurant industry. Usually a hub of social interaction, these businesses have had to shut their doors and adopt creative solutions to keep their staff and customers safe. Curbside pick-up, delivery, and outdoor seating have become the norm for the dining industry during the pandemic. But, the approach of winter makes dining outside a challenge. How can bars and restaurants create an outdoor dining experience that works during the coldest months of the year?

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Safety Recommendations

First and foremost, eateries need to ensure they maintain a safe environment. Guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local regulations serve as essential reference points for restaurants and bars.

Social distancing. However a restaurant or bar can operate, inside dining or outside, social distancing is a crucial safety measure. Tables should have at least six feet of space between them.
Limited capacity. Limiting capacity can also support social distancing. Smaller groups of people are more accessible to adequately space out within a restaurant or on its patio.
Masking. The CDC recommends that bar and restaurant employees wear facemasks and that customers wear masks when they are not eating or drinking.
Outdoor seating. Adequate ventilation and airflow help reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, making outdoor seating a safer option.

Outdoor Challenges

While eating and drinking outdoors was an easy solution in the balmy months of summer, winter brings new challenges.

Temperature. In areas with mild winters, customers might be able to wear a few extra layers and still enjoy outdoor seating. In other areas with harsher winters, restaurants must create an outdoor environment warm enough to attract customers.
Layout. Outdoor tents may be a potential option for restaurants, but the same considerations for safe dining apply. Does the tent allow for adequate ventilation? Can tables be placed far enough apart within the tent? Enclosed tents with poor airflow and large groups are likely not a safe solution.

Outdoor Solutions

What potential solutions do restaurants have to chilly weather and layout concerns?

Heaters. Many restaurants and bars are adding heaters to their outdoor spaces to create a warm enough environment. Some businesses are offering blankets or suggesting customers bring their own.
Physical barriers. In addition to temperature control, restaurants and bars need to consider proper distancing protocols. Physical barriers can be installed in outdoor spaces to divide the airspace and maintain separate, safe areas for customers. For example, Sneeze Buddy™ Social Distance Separation Panels can create outdoor dining enclosures. Freestanding modular frames or clear or suspended panels from above with chains or cables allow restaurants to configure the panels in whatever works best for their outdoor space.

Thermal-insulated curtains can serve as a multipurpose solution, creating separate spaces and helping to maintain a warmer temperature for customers sitting outside.

Learn more about how AmCraft’s Sneeze Buddy™ panels and insulated curtains can help the food service industry weather the winter season.

Jack Warren

14:05 23 Oct 24

John, the AmCraft representative was super helpful and responsive. The ordering process was seamless and I would definitely place another order with them again in the future.

erin h

02:28 11 Sep 24

Everything arrived on time and perfect. Install was easier than expected. Thank you!

Rob Wilking

17:01 11 Jul 24

Patti Pope was very helpful in fulfilling my customer order for Data Center equipment rack curtains. My initial measurements were not accurate and she was able to accommodate my requst for a sizing change and deleivered the curtians in a timely manner.

Donald Scholl

20:21 23 Apr 24

Amcraft has again supplied an exceptional product for another one our projects.Their sales and engineering groups were able to meet our extensive custom order. The ship date was as promised, and received in perfect condition. I can’t think of any other manufacturer who could meet our food grade needs.

D “DN” Nguyen

15:43 10 Jul 23

Kristen and the team at Amcraft was very accommodating. They made the ordering process simple, efficient and communicated their expertise with precision and accuracy. The customer curtains (2), were made to our expectations and the lead time/delivery was faster than expected.Although, they were built as curtains, we work in a hot environment and change the way we mounted the curtains. We have seen a decrease in temperature in our facility, which can be an oven.We wish the best for Amcraft, and thank you again.

Warren Evans

20:03 19 Apr 22

Our company installed a machine that is known for the generation of relatively high decibel readings. The readings were exacerbated by the location of the machine adjacent to a concrete block wall. The combination of machinery and location resulted in decibel readings that exceeded expectations.We spoke with several companies for a solution, and AmCraft was chosen for the flexibility of their product. It allowed the sound dampening wall to be retracted when service needed to be done and provided an excellent amount of sound cancellation.Andrea at AmCraft was very patient as we sorted out what was best for our process and our budget.The customer has expressed an interest in using these same panels for other applications in their mill.Good Job AmCraft!! Thank You Very Much.

Creating a Safe Outdoor Dining Experience This Winter

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