All industries are taking the necessary steps to ensure their customers are safe during this tough time. Restaurants, however, are going the extra mile.
The Inn at Little Washington in the US, a three Michelin-starred destination, announced they would be opening their doors to the public today, 15 May. However, there was a bit of a challenge.
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The governor of Virgina, Ralph Northam, made a rule that visitors could dine outside for phase one of the reopening and that restaurants could only allow for guests to fill 50% of the venue’s capacity, in order to maintain safe social distancing measures.
As a result, they pushed their reopening to 29 May. With regards to the 50% capacity issue, a plan is in place.
Patrick O’Connell, the chef at The Inn at Little Washington, decided that they would fill the venue with 1940’s style mannequins, reports the Washingtonian. He hoped that this would make the restaurant look full while ensuring they follow the 50% rule. The result is a bit creepy!
the Inn at Little’s Michelin restaurant in Washington has installed mid-century mannequins at tables to make social distancing less cumbersome#PhysicalDistancing is “INN” style… pic.twitter.com/6U2MNrelHW
— Zander Doyle 🏳️🌈 (@zandoyle_) May 13, 2020
A mannequin is seated at a table at The Inn at Little Washington, Virginia. The use of dummies at every other table will ensure social distancing at the restaurant when the state relaxes its restrictions to allow indoor dining on May 29. Via @ft pic.twitter.com/oMfXlToWdt
— Alejandro Roca (@alroca) May 15, 2020
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Another restaurant owner in Germany also had to get creative, as they reopened in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Café Rothe in the city of Schwerin handed out specially made ‘pool noodle hats’ to enforce social distancing and to celebrate their reopening.
According to Insider, this is a gimmick. But if we really consider it, the hats are great social distancing tools since safe practices must continue, no matter how loose restrictions may get.
The owner of the Café, Jacqueline Rothe told Insider that it is a pleasure to put smiles on people’s faces in a time like this.
Have a look at diners in their hats here:
Image credit: Facebook/ Cafe & Konditorei Rothe
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