Winter Outdoor Restaurant Accommodations Amidst COVID Pandemic
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the restaurant business has been hit hard. Food service businesses across the country shut down completely or were only offering limited take out services. Now that the country is beginning to open for business again, restaurants have had a lot to consider as they decide whether or not to reopen their doors. Many restaurants are taking precautions such as distancing tables, increased sanitation, setting up barriers, enforcing mask wearing amongst employees, and winter outdoor restaurant accommodations for the coming months ahead. In states that have been hit hard by the virus, such as New York and California, dine-in services have been slow to reopen. This has led to many in the food service business to get creative on how to move their business outdoors. However, there is a unique set of challenges in accommodating outdoor dining in winter months.
Is it safer to dine outdoors during the COVID-19 pandemic?
The Center for Disease Control has released many guidelines and resources about the risks of contracting COVID-19 while participating in certain activities, all of which you can access on their website. For dining in restaurants, they have released information stating that you are less likely to contract the COVID-19 virus while outdoors. Your risk decreases even more when combined with other precautions, such as washing your hands frequently and wearing a mask. Restaurants across the US have been making adjustments to their layouts to allow for increased distance between tables and more outdoor seating options.
Outdoor restaurant builds during COVID-19 pandemic
Restaurants across America have moved outdoors to accommodate their state’s restrictions on dine-in services during the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, in California, generally indoor dining is prohibited, which means restaurants have been pressed to move their seating outside in order to keep their businesses open. Choura has built decks and additional platforms to allow for more outdoor seating at multiple restaurants across Southern California. Extended dining builds such as Choura’s have allowed for restaurants and their employees to keep on working through these unprecedented times. These parklettes located in neighborhoods such as Laguna Beach and Hollywood have included over 3,600 square feet of level ADA-compliant raised decks, stained plank flooring, planter boxes, artist walls, and curated lighting designs. For more information about Choura builds, check out our website.
Winter outdoor restaurant accommodations in the coming months
Unlike sunny Southern California, many other cities in America experience harsh weather in the winter, which can make outdoor dining difficult. In cities such as Chicago, winter temperatures average at about 35 F, which is frigid compared to Los Angeles’ average of 68 F. That is why the city of Chicago recently launched a contest to the public in search of a safe, viable idea for outdoor dining this winter, with a cash prize of $5,000. As temperatures begin to drop in the coming months, restaurants will be grateful for the suggestions on how to keep their doors open while battling winter cold, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately, Choura has the build expertise, products, and capabilities to create outdoor dining experiences whatever the season. From various covered structures, heaters, and more, our team can ensure restaurants and their patrons are safe and happy.
Sources:
https://www.calrest.org/coronavirus/reopening
https://www.choura.co/case_study/extended-dining-builds/
https://www.today.com/food/chicago-award-5k-contest-winter-outdoor-dining-solutions-t190393
