California announces guidelines for dine in services and office buildings

Govenor Gavin Newsom announced modifications to the statewide stay-at-home order Tuesday to allow more businesses in California to reopen, including dine-in restaurants, shopping malls and offices. Newsom said some counties may be ready to implement these steps; others may need to wait longer.

In order to re- open for sit-down or dine-in service, these are some guidelines for restaurants:

Have disposable menus or post menus online so diners can view them on their own devices

Cutlery, napkins and cups should not be "pre-set" on the table before diners sit down

Avoid use of shared condiments (salt shakers, ketchup, etc.)

Pre-roll utensils in napkins before giving them to customers

Takeout containers for leftovers must be filled by customers (not kitchen or wait staff)

Thoroughly clean tables, chairs, etc. after each group's use

No table-side food preparation

Bar areas inside restaurants should stay closed

Diners should also wear masks inside restaurants when they aren't eating.

"Licensed restaurants may sell "to-go" alcoholic beverages, prepared drinks, and pre-mixed cocktails provided they are sold and delivered to customers in conjunction with the sale and delivery of a meal/meals."

The state also issued guidelines for office buildings to reopen if workers are not able to work remotely.

In order to open, companies must follow these new rules which include:

Train employees on safety and self-screening
Do temperature and/or symptom screenings daily for employees
Redesign office spaces to allow for 6 feet of spacing between workers
Close or restrict common areas
Do extra cleaning on high-traffic areas like break rooms, elevators, etc.
Require employees to disinfect personal work areas
Require employees to avoid handshakes
Adjust or modify hours to allow people to better space out
Consider installing systems to bring more outside air in