COLUMBUS, Ohio — On Thursday, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced via a revised health order that buffets and food stations within restaurants, bars, and other locations where food is served will be permitted to reopen, beginning at 11:59 p.m. tonight.
A press release from DeWine's office says that Ohio Department of Health Director Stephanie McCloud signed the addendum to the order that allowed bars and restaurants to reopen on Thursday.
The order states that restaurants, bars, banquet and catering facilities are permitted to reopen self-service stations, so long as they continue to enforce the following rules:
- Customers must wear masks or facial coverings while in line
- Customers unable to wear a mask must be served by an employee
- Buffets must be located a minimum of six feet away from seating areas
- Customers must move in one direction and must maintain six feet of distance while in line
- Directional signs will be required to tell patrons which way to walk
- Hand sanitizer must be located at the front of the line for the self-serve stations, and must be used by patrons before getting food
- Utensils must be cleaned and sanitized hourly
- The Ohio Department of Health recommends the use of disposable napkins for guests
- Condiments must be individually wrapped or packaged
- Commonly touched areas must be cleaned and sanitized often
- Self-service food stations should be monitored by trained staff
- Foods must be protected using sneeze guards and self-serve equipment
- Signage around the venue should clearly indicate directional patterns, hand-sanitizing methods, and food safety to patrons
The Ohio Department of Health has a sample sign for directing patrons to policies and procedures, which can be found here.
