Many beloved hotels, restaurants and cinemas are finally reopening their doors, but there will be a few key changes
From worries over health to cancelled travel plans, reduced job security and long periods of forced isolation, we’ve all had to adjust to a new way of doing things since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
One of the many groups to suffer as a result of the crisis are business owners, especially those working within the hospitality sector. The likes of hotels, bars and restaurants have been closed for months now, and are only just opening their doors to customers once again. Businesses are keen to serve and customers are keen to visit, but we’re obviously not out of the woods yet. There are still many concerns surrounding COVID-19 in public spaces.
Because of this, businesses are doing all they can to make sure customers can visit them safely and comfortably. Here are some of the key ways businesses are welcoming their customers back.
Enjoying things at a distance
The phrase ‘less is more’ has never applied to businesses more than it does right now. Many businesses are having to severely limit the number of people who can enter their premises at any one time, in order to keep social distancing rules in place and reduce the risk of virus spread inside the building. This is particularly true for smaller businesses and venues, such as independent cinemas. Bars and restaurants are continuing to take reservations for visitors, and many of them are keeping up the exclusively table service routine they have been putting into practice since outdoor dining opened in April.
Getting familiar with a sanitiser dispenser
When you visit your favourite bar, restaurant, hotel or cinema, don’t be surprised if you see a sanitiser dispenser there to welcome you. Handstations.co.uk have a wide range of sanitiser dispenser options available for both residential and commercial premises, and businesses of all kinds are making sure they have the tools in place to let visitors sanitise their hands before they enter. Sanitising your hands is still recommended by health professionals as one of the most important ways to maintain good hygiene practices, especially when out in public spaces.
Rules and restrictions
Although lots of our favourite businesses are once again opening their doors, there will likely be rules and restrictions in place to maintain a level of safety. Shops and other places will need to limit the number of people they can allow inside, and there may well also be curfews and time limits in place for any tables you book at bars or restaurants. These restrictions are in place in order to ensure that, while we enjoy our time outside the house, we are also staying as safe as possible in order to reduce the likelihood of more serious restrictions having to be considered yet again.
Asking for support
It’s no secret that businesses have suffered over the past year, especially smaller businesses that rely on regular local custom. You may find that some of your favourite small businesses are in need of a bit of extra support, and might ask you to help them out by spreading the word about their services with friends and family, or talking about them on social media.
It’s an exciting and nerve-wracking time for businesses and customers alike, but we are all happy to see a little slice of normality returning with the reopening of hospitality venues. No doubt everyone involved is doing everything they can to ensure we all have a fun and safe time.