Visakhapatnam: Safety protocols conspicuous by absence in several restaurants

Visakhapatnam: After more than a 70-day break, reopening of shopping malls, hotels and restaurants in non-containment zones bring cheer to many amid unlock 1.0.

But the enthusiasm shown in resuming the service is lacking in following the guidelines among the majority of the restauranteurs.

Except arranging sanitisers to wash hands, other safety protocols such as disposable menu cards, thermal screening, change in seating arrangements and replacement of cloth napkins with paper napkins were hardly followed at most restaurants.

However, not many were seen dining at the restaurants on the day one of the first phase of the relaxation.

But managements could not pay attention on ensuring maintenance of social distancing even if there were limited walk-ins.

Four members used to share a table before lockdown and there is no change in the system even now despite the guidelines laying emphasis on maintenance of adequate social distancing.

Not just restaurants that fail to follow unlock norms even the roadside dhabas that resumed their service appear to pay any heed to the guidelines.

However, the positive side of the relaxation is that the staff of the food courts is armed with gloves and masks. Also, many restaurants carried out sanitisation before commencing their day.

Except a few popular restaurants and some hotels that are still making alterations, care in seating arrangements is missing in several restaurants. "After a long time, felt like having lunch at a restaurant.

But, surprised to see there is no change in the seating arrangement or the menu card system as mentioned in the guidelines. I could not dare to take any risk dining outside and hence returned home," shares N. Ravi Kumar, a resident of Gajuwaka.

When it comes to shopping malls and cloth stores, the situation is far better than the ones in the restaurants despite fewer shoppers.

At a time when coronavirus cases are increasing at an alarming rate, negligence in maintaining the safety protocols at eateries turns out to be a cause for concern.

Keeping the health aspect in view, there is a need to intensify surveillance and ensure implementation of safety protocols without any deviation.