District Administration Issues SOPs on Preventive Measures in Restaurants/ Bars/ Floating Bars on New Year’s Eve

Port Blair, Dec. 30: The South Andaman District Administration on the occasion of New Year’s Eve has released Standard Operating Procedures for all restaurants, bars and floating bars in vessels as a preventive measure for COVID-19 pandemic.

Accordingly, all Restaurants/Bars/Floating Bars in vessels must take suitable measures to restrict any further transmission of COVID-19 while providing services. The SOP aims to minimize all possible physical contacts between Staff and Guests and maintain social distancing and other preventive and safety measures against COVID-19.

All Restaurants/Bars/Floating Bars in vessels shall ensure the following arrangements:

Entrance to have mandatory hand hygiene (sanitizer dispenser) and thermal screening provisions.

All staff and guests to be allowed entry only if using face cover/masks.

Adequate manpower shall be deployed by Restaurants/Bars/Floating Bars in vessels management for ensuring social distancing norms.

Staff should additionally wear gloves and take other required precautionary measures.

The timings of operations shall be as per the existing orders/present Excise Policy.

All employees who are at higher risk i.e. older employees, pregnant employees and employees who have underlying medical conditions, to take extra precautions. They should preferably not be exposed to any front-line work requiring direct contact with the public.

Number of people in the elevators shall be restricted, duly maintaining social distancing norms.

Detailed guidelines issued for Restaurants/Bars/Floating Bars in vessels shall be followed.

Seating arrangement in the Restaurants/Bars/Floating Bars in vessels also to be made in such a way that adequate social distancing is maintained.

Instead of cloth napkins, use of good quality disposable paper napkins to be encouraged.

Buffet service should also follow social distancing norms among guests.

Cleaning and regular disinfection (using 1% sodium hypochlorite) of frequently touched surfaces (door knobs, elevator buttons, hand rails, benches, washroom fixtures, etc.) to be made mandatory in all guest service area and common areas.