The order requires employees to wear facial coverings unless they meet one of the approved exceptions in the Sector-Specific Guidelines for Restaurants and Bars. Businesses must provide written justification, upon request, explaining why an employee is not required to wear a facial covering in the workplace. To read the exceptions and other guidelines, go to http://bit.ly/OhioSectorGuidelines

Yes, food service establishments offering dine-in service must take affirmative steps with customers to achieve safe social distancing guidelines, include complying with the facial covering order. The Facial Covering Order issued July 23 states that people “shall wear facial coverings at all times when in any indoor location that is not a residence and outdoors and unable to consistently maintain a distance of six feet or more from individuals who are not members of their family/household.” The mask order does not apply to people who are seated and actively consuming food or beverage.

Employers should require employees to:

• Stay at home if symptomatic

• Perform a daily symptom assessment before reporting to work that should include taking temperature with a thermometer and watching for coughing or trouble breathing

• Wash hands at least every 2 hours

• Remain socially distant from other employees and customers/patrons as much as possible

Live entertainment is permitted in restaurants and bars as long as the individuals who are performing maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet from all other people including, but not limited to, fellow performers and restaurant and bar patrons and staff. Disc jockeys are permitted as long as they practice social distancing.

Congregate areas in restaurants, bars, and banquet and catering facilities that are not necessary for the preparation and service of food or beverages are permitted. However, businesses must follow all social distancing and sanitation guidelines. This includes billiards, card playing, pinball, video and arcade games, dancing and strolling entertainers.

No. Customers and guests must be seated when consuming food, beer, wine and liquor on the premises.

Yes, as long as the size of party does not exceed the 10-person mass gathering limit and they are seated at least 6 feet from other customers or separated by a physical barrier. Private dining may be offered as long as the size of the party does not exceed the 10-person mass gathering limit.

It is recommended that barriers placed between booths or tables be smooth, easily cleanable, non-porous, properly cleaned between dining parties, and comply with building or fire department regulations. Shower curtains may be used if they meet these stipulations and are approved by the building and/or fire department. Barriers made of fabric, cloth, or other porous material are not permitted. It is recommended that the dimensions of barriers between booths or tables be sufficient to prevent customers from extending/reaching over the booth/seat to interact with other customers.

A floor plan should include at least the following:

1. Entrances and exits

2. Configuration of tables, chairs, and booths for dining areas and bars

3. Kitchen areas to ensure social distancing

4. Barriers to be installed where social distancing cannot be accomplished

5. Waiting areas ensuring social distancing

6. Flow of customers through the facility

7. Designated ordering and waiting areas for carryout and delivery customers

8. Locations of hand washing/sanitizer stations.

Self-service beverages are permitted. Pre-packaged foods and drinks may still be offered for retail sale. Salad bars and buffets are permitted if served by staff with 6 feet of social distancing between parties. All other forms of self-service food and condiments are prohibited. Table and common area items such as table tents, vases, lemons, straws, and stir sticks be removed. Condiments and condiment bottles should be removed from tables and provided in single packets, cups etc. It’s recommended that condiment packets that are served to a customer and not consumed be discarded. This applies in any setting including restaurants, bars, gas stations, convenience stores, and grocery stores.

You can call your normal Wood County Health Department sanitarian for help. If you don’t know how to get a hold of them, you can contact the Environmental Health office at 419-354-2702 or environmental@woodcountyohio.gov.