The Nighlife industry in Nigeria is one of the worst hit sectors in the economy. As June 2020 comes we all can agree that cities can’t keep their businesses shut down anymore. Around the world restaurants and bars are beginning to re open albeit skeletal.
For the bars in Lagos and Abuja we’ve come up with a few procedures to improve a culture of good health and social distancing.
Deep clean before opening: Thoroughly detail, clean and sanitize the entire facility, especially if it has been closed. Focus on high-contact areas touched by both employees and guests, but do not overlook seldom-touched surfaces, too. High contact areas would include doorknobs, door handles, faucets, chairs, point-of-sale screens and tablets.
- Create a continuous cleaning schedule: Between customers, clean and sanitize table condiments, digital ordering devices, self-service areas, tabletops and commonly touched areas. Clean and sanitize reusable menus.
- Utilize single-use items: Possible new NCDC guidelines include using disposable menus, chalkboard menus, plates and utensils in restaurants. Consider using single-use containers for condiments. Discard any single-use item after each customer.
- Remove tabletop items: Remove lemon slices and unwrapped straws from self-service drink stations. Consider shutting down self-service areas, such as soft drink dispensers, salad bars and buffets, altogether due to the increased likelihood of contamination as well as to limit patrols gathering in close proximity. Where local and state officials permit salad bars and buffets, they must have sneeze guards in place.
- Keep the kitchen clean: Implement procedures to increase how often surfaces in the back of the house and kitchen are cleaned and sanitized. Avoid all food contact surfaces when using disinfectants.
- Change table settings: Consider using rolled silverware and eliminating table presets.
- Cleaning restrooms: Schedule restroom cleaning and sanitizing throughout the day. Also, make sure restrooms are fully stocked with soap and hand sanitizer.
- Train employees: Employees should be trained on the importance of properly washing their hands and using hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content. Also, employees should have clear instructions to avoid touching their faces.
- Keep up customer service: Show both your customers and your employees that you care about their health. Provide hand sanitizer for guests and separately for employees. Post signs about social distancing and cleaning protocols and thank them for their patience as you try to ensure their safety.
