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Pandemic Dining: San Francisco Allows Indoor Dining, Releases Guidelines

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San Francisco restaurants are allowed to have indoor dining starting today, Sept. 30. The San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) released interim guidance for both indoor and outdoor dining today, which stipulates reopening based on a tier system linked to COVID-19 case numbers.

Both indoor and outdoor dining rules could change depending on spikes or dips of COVID cases. If cases increase to red or purple, the department can and will pause or reverse these re-opening measures. For now, at the orange tier, the measures allow for indoor dining at 25% capacity for up to 100 diners.

Simultaneously, the SFDPH also sent out guidelines and recommendations for HVAC systems and indoor ventilation, which has been a major concern for offering indoor dining in the first place. A recent CDC report cites dining out as a significant COVID-19 risk that applies to both indoor and outdoor dining, due to the inability to wear masks while eating. The necessary improvements for ventilation include having HVAC systems serviced and functioning properly, increasing the flow of outdoor air and natural ventilation by opening windows and considering HEPA filters and fans.

Current CDC guidelines still recommend drive-through, delivery, takeout or curbside pickup as the safest and lowest risk methods for restaurant food. With a predicted spike of cases in conjunction with flu season, guidelines also strongly recommend getting flu vaccines for workers.

The Golden Gate Restaurant Association worked closely with SFDPH on these guidelines. Laurie Thomas, the association's executive director, said that everyone will need to make their own decisions based on their comfort level. "But this is an important step forward in the reopening process," she said in a statement.

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Additionally, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that outdoor dining permit fees will be waived until spring of 2022, and refunded retroactively for fees paid after April 15, 2020.

Here's what you need to know:

  • All places that offer indoor dining must serve "bona fide meals" to customers, meaning that all restaurants must serve at least a "main course"
  • Serving alcoholic beverages is not permitted without also offering a meal service
  • All restaurants must have a valid permit to operate
  • All restaurants must complete a Health and Safety Plan and post it publicly and on its website
  • The Health and Safety plan is linked to maintaining food permits, and includes proper signage, face coverage and enforcement of social distancing of six feet or more between people
  • All spaces must be redesigned for proper social distancing
  • There need to be separate spaces for vendor pickups, delivery and take-out
  • Staff must be trained on safety protocols
  • Restaurants must verbally screen all diners upon entry and advise them to wear a face covering when not eating or drinking
  • All buffets are prohibited at this time, including self-cook stations like hot pot
  • Restrooms need to be disinfected every four hours and surfaces should be cleaned at least once every hour

—Urmila Ramakrishnan (@U_Ramakrishnan)

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