What you need to know when dining-out during Covid-19

 

Restaurants are slowly re-opening but we have to remember that while commercial establishments are now being allowed, there is still the risk of COVID-19 infection. Sharing some preventive measures to practice when dining out:

Always wear your face mask and face shield when placing your orders. Most dining areas do not allow guests to enter without wearing face shields, so it's always best to wear both, to be sure. 

Facemasks are a must

Follow the designated foot markers or decals to allow proper foot traffic and to be able to maintain physical distancing when ordering food. 

Choose healthy and nutritious meals. Avoid fatty and salty foods. Remember it’s best to nourish your body with vitamins and minerals we get from healthy foods so we can avoid illnesses. As they say, "bawal magkasakit" in these times especially because hospitals are filled with Covid positive patients. 

Outside dining is a lot safer nowadays than indoor dining. 

Outdoor is better for proper ventilation and safer air circulation than airconditioned ones

Always bring alcohol with you. In order to be sure about your health, sanitize your own table with alcohol, and avoid touching counters and objects.

Alcohol bottle is always a a must-have in your bag. 

If it’s possible, bring your own disposable utensils or utensils for a safer meal.

Disposable utensils are also in-demand these days for safety

Look for certificates that show kitchen managers have completed food safety training. Proper food safety training can help improve practices that reduce the chance of spreading foodborne germs and illnesses.

Look for safe food-handling practices. Sick food workers can spread their illness to customers. If you can see food being prepared, check to make sure workers are using gloves or utensils to handle foods that will not be cooked further, such as deli meats and salad greens.

Order food that’s properly cooked. Certain foods including meat, poultry, and fish, need to be cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful germs that may be present. If a restaurant serves you undercooked meat, poultry, seafood, or eggs, send them back to be cooked until they are safe to eat.

Avoid food served lukewarm. Cold food should be served cold, and hot food should be served hot. If you’re selecting food from a buffet or salad bar, make sure the hot food is steaming and the cold food is chilled. Germs that cause food poisoning grow quickly when food is in the danger zone, between 40°F and 140°F.

Ask your server if they use pasteurized eggs in foods such as Caesar salad dressing, custards, tiramisu, or hollandaise sauce. Raw or undercooked eggs can make you sick unless they’re pasteurized to kill germs.

Take care of your leftovers quickly. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of eating out. If it is above 90°F outside, refrigerate leftovers within 1 hour. Eat leftovers within 3 to 4 days. Throw them out after that time.

Again, it's still best to eat at home but when you're like most people "itching" to go out and too lazy to prepare meals on their own and would prefer to dine out, please consider the items I have mentioned above for you and your family to be safe. I'm no food expert, but those are the things which you might want to consider as you dine out these days. 

Stay safe guys!