COVID-19 Safety Precautions

The COVID-19 Pandemic has hit the entire world harder than anyone expected. For an entire year the United States has lived in a state of quarantine, fear, and increased safety precautions everywhere you turn. The restaurant industry is considered an essential business, being a business that provides culinary services. People have to eat, so restaurants have stayed open throughout the pandemic.

At first, restaurants were open for carry out service only. The guests could order online or over the phone, and they could come pick up their meal, or order through Door Dash, Grub Hub, or any of the other food delivery services available. If the guest chose to go to the restaurant to pick up their food, in many cases, they were not allowed to enter the building. They would have to call upon arrival, and a member of the service staff would bring the food out to them wearing a mask and gloves. It continued like this until around June 2020 and then restaurants were able to stay open under safety guidelines determined by the state.  Maryland is no different, and here we are a year later, and the safety precautions are still in place.

Facts

In Maryland, the safety precautions are determined by the Governor and regulators of OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Act. As of March 2021, the regulations in Maryland vary slightly from county to county, but in the majority of the state, restaurants are allowed to remain open at 50% capacity for indoor dining, and outdoor dining is allowed as long as proper social distancing guidelines are being applied. All restaurant staff members are required to wear gloves and face coverings in the building at all times, while guests must wear masks upon entering the building, but are allowed to remove them while eating.

Social distancing is to be followed between restaurant employees and vendors. All restaurant surfaces are to be sterilized before and after use, especially in high use areas such as prep tables, and service tables. Restaurant employees are to be screened daily for any signs they could be symptomatic.  Table and bar areas are to be marked off accordingly to allow for social distancing, and tables may not consist of more than six guests at any one time. Hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes are to be provided, and any items that may be used by multiple guests, like menus or magazines, must be removed and replaced with one use, disposable items.

It is a new and unprecedented time that we all live in right now, and in order to ensure the safety of all guests and staff, The Crab Shack in Crofton and Edgewater has qualified and trained staff that enforce all COVID-19 safety regulations. When you go to The Crab Shack, you and your family can be completely assured that you are dining under the safest accommodations possible. For more information or to see the menu, please visit www.thecrabshackmd.com