Eating Out As a Family During A Pandemic

With most of the world still in lockdowns of some sort, people are itching to get out and eat at a restaurant again with  their family. Luckily, depending on where you are in the world, the chance is right there for you to get out and eat your favourite place – you just have to take some precautions. We all have to work together during a pandemic, which means that eating out has to be done delicately – even with the kids!

Etiquette is always important to those who want to eat out at a restaurant, but pre-COVID that meant no screaming children and no elbows on the table. Now? Well, no screaming is still desirable, you also have to follow a whole new set of rules. With that in mind, let’s check out how you can make dining out safe for your family during a pandemic.

Tips For Eating Out As A Family

Use Your Smartphone

Almost every shop and public eating space now has a QR code scanner at the door so that you can register your presence as you arrive. This means that you can be notified if anyone with COVID is flagged as visiting the same time that you do. Using your phone in your pocket, you can scan your code and make sure that the restaurant can get hold of you if they need to.

Choose The Right Restaurant

Your favourite place to eat may be shut during the pandemic, so you need to choose somewhere that is open, is adhering to hygiene and safety rules and is happy to keep between your table and everyone else’s, too. You can have enough space this way to remain safely socially-distanced.

Time It Right

The last thing you want is to go out and expect the same service that you got pre-pandemic. Most restaurants are going to have workers at a 50% capacity or less and that means that service may be slower than you’re used to. Avoid heading out in peak hours and time your visit so that the kids aren’t going to be too rowdy and want to run around.

Don’t Forget Your Masks

Even if you don’t have to wear them once seated, bring your masks with you in case anything changes. You also need to wear them in public until you sit down anyway, so there’s no point in missing out on this one!

Bring Hand Sanitizer

There should be sanitization stations at the doors of the restaurant, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t bring your own. Table manners are still very real, in the middle of a pandemic, it’s the little things that can make us feel normal. 

Exercise Patience

We’re all in the middle of a scary time, but the people serving and cooking aren’t going to put their health at  risk for anyone – including you. So, be patient about your meal being late or being slightly delayed. They’re doing their best and working much less than they were before. You can still enjoy a delicious meal out – it just may take longer!