Restaurant Reopening Checklist

Per the latest Health Order from Prince George’s County, food establishments may operate with indoor dining at 25% maximum capacity or 1 patron per 200 square feet, whichever is lower.  Restaurants must follow all other safety protocols and guidelines as outlined in Council Resolution 121-2020. Per new guidelines from the State of Maryland, restaurants and foodservice establishments must close all dine-in services by 10:00 PM every evening, effective Friday, November 20 at 5:00 PM.  Below is a checklist for restaurants to use as they reopen.

• Have you arranged tables and chairs to allow at least a six-foot distance between tables?
• Have you allowed seating for no more than 50 guests in the restaurant, seated at tables with no more than 6 seats?
• Have you marked the pathways to the restrooms with markings placed 6 feet apart to allow those in line to social distance?
• Is the entrance/exit to the facility for customers separate from where employees enter, if possible?
• Did you get disposable menus and/or have a mobile app for your menu?
• Do you have a mechanism in place to allow for socially distanced curbside food pickup and notification for customers to pick their ready?
• Have you obtained single-use condiments instead of reusing salt and paper shakers, ketchup, etc.?
• Have you arranged for employee health monitoring and employee COVID-19 training?
• Have you discontinued all buffets and salad bars?
• If the facility has been closed for a period of time, have you flushed the water lines, especially serving the ice machine?
• Will all staff properly wear face coverings at all times?
• Will staff be sent home immediately if they show signs or symptoms of illness?

If you have answered yes to all these questions, then you should be ready to safely operate with minimal risks.

If you have any questions, please contact the Health department’s Food Protection Program at foodprotectionprogram@co.pg.md.us.