The COVID-19 pandemic has definitely affected all of us in negative ways. Even food businesses in Wisconsin are not exempted from the ramifications brought by the economic turmoil as the result of the ongoing worldwide health crisis.
Fortunately, a few restaurants in Spring City have already been allowed to operate to 100% dine-in capacity since last year through the pilot program that was launched by Waukesha’s health department to restore the city’s pre-pandemic economic activity.
If this is the case, when will restaurants reopen in Wisconsin during the COVID-19 pandemic (we’re talking about the other food businesses that are not yet opened) and be allowed to operate at full capacity? That’s a good question
So stick around as we’ll further this topic in today’s entry.
Reopening Guidelines For Restaurants
Since the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions last year, individual businesses, specifically in the Wisconsin area, will have to submit a safety plan before they’ll be allowed to accept 100% of customers for dine-in and get a seal of approval from the city’s health department. And this safety plan will take 7 business days before it can be approved as the health department will have to carefully evaluate the plan if it is feasible enough to mitigate COVID-19 exposure.
Based on previous reports, restaurants in Milwaukee, Wisconsin were allowed to operate at 25% dine-in capacity, but the number of customers was gradually increased. And in line with this matter, the Wisconsin Restaurant Association (WRA) has provided resources to guide restaurant operators on how to navigate their way to pandemic recovery.
To be specific, Wisconsin restaurants have to comply with the established regulations so they will be allowed to fully operate and recover their loss in revenues. And failure to comply will result in fines and the revocation of their license to operate.
Here are some of the basic requirements to be followed:
1. All restaurants in Wisconsin must adhere to the Safe Operating Guidance set by the National Restaurant Association. This guidance is necessary to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 through:
– Food Safety
– Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Safely Disinfecting
– Employee Health Monitoring and Personal Hygiene
– Social Distancing
– Effective Ventilation
– Encouraging Vaccinations for Staff
– Training Staff with this Guidance
Good thing most restaurants like Pizza Family Restaurant and Tofte’s Table in Waukesha have already implemented these things as we speak.
2. Restaurants staff must be fully vaccinated in accordance with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines.
3. Employees must wear face masks and gloves at all times.
4. In case an employee is tested positive for COVID-19 virus, the restaurant operator must follow the Preventing & Managing COVID-19 Outbreaks In The Workplace guidelines to have proper risk assessment and to ensure the safety of both customers and the remaining staff.
5. Wisconsin restaurants must place Hand Washing Poster, the WRA’s Pre-Shift Wellness Check Poster, Social Distancing, Mask, and Customer Appreciation Posters.
For more information on how to reopen your restaurant business safely during the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit WRA’s official website (https://www.wirestaurant.org) or contact them at 608.270.9950.
