Dining out is about to get a whole new definition this leap year. COVID-19 has rapidly made us adopt technology to ensure there is minimum contact with others. ‘Digital’ and ‘Virtual’ are going to be new lifestyle trends. However, man is social by nature and therefore it would be impossible to replace the need of socializing. Hence, while governments encourage ‘Social Distancing’ they do not restrict us from socialising but only caution us to maintain distance.
Although on account of lock down we may not be able to visit our favourite restaurants and soak in the dining experience that we may be used to; we can still relish our favourite food from the comfort of our homes. Many of us are setting up virtual dining dates and restaurants have stepped in to offer contactless delivery! Basically all we need to do is place our food order online, make a pre-payment and the food will be delivered at our doorstep like literally be placed at your door and we would be notified about the same digitally thus negating any form of contact. So while we may be physically apart from our friends and family we can still enjoy the same dining experience together, thanks to technology.
Though there have been no reports or studies to suggest that COVID-19 can spread through food; keeping in mind the concerns of the society, restaurants are gearing up to offer Contactless Dine-in experience to ensure the safety of its customers which I would prefer to be called as Secure Dine-in.
The thought of Secure Dine-in might have never crossed our minds before but with the present pandemic it might be the only thing we would consider before venturing out. While the restaurants are brainstorming to take all possible measures to gain trust of their valued customers, the Food and Safety Standards of India has issued Food Hygiene and Safety Guidelines for Food Businesses during Corona Virus Pandemic[1] encouraging high level maintenance of personal hygiene, practicing social distancing and cleaning & sanitisation.
While restaurants will have to follow the afore stated Food Hygiene and Safety Guidelines, in my opinion restaurants should leverage technology for offering Secure Dine-in experiences. Restaurants may start by doing so by taking only online table reservations, this will also serve as a record of the customers visiting their premises, further the customers may be allowed to place their orders and make payment thereof digitally. Further restaurants should ensure that tables are placed at a safe distance from each other and no reservations in excess of the tables available be allowed so as to offer each customer a pleasant and secured dine-in experience.
Adversities do teach us a lot, and I am sure the restaurant and the hospitality industry will bounce back soon in a new avatar; and all of us will be once again wanting to go out and relish our favourite dish with our loved ones at our much-loved restaurant.
[1] https://fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Guidance_Note_COVID_15_04_2020.pdf
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