The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) just provided safety tips and best practices for restaurants and other food and beverage businesses, limited by government orders to curbside and takeout service. These guidelines include the following:

• To the extent possible, maintain six feet between co-workers and customers. If possible, mark six-foot distances with tape on the floors in your pickup lines. Also encourage your customers to pay ahead of time via phone or online, temporarily move workstations to create more distance, and install plexiglass partitions, if feasible.
• Allow employees to wear masks over their nose and mouth to prevent spreading the disease.
• Train employees on hygiene practices.
• Provide a place for your customers and employees to wash their hands and an alcohol-based hand sanitizer of at least 60% alcohol.
• Reserve parking spots close to the front door of your establishment for curbside pickup only.
• Avoid direct hand-off with your customers, if possible.
• Display a door or sidewalk sign detailing your services and respective availability, instructions for pickup, and hours of operation to avoid congregation in front of your establishment.
• Encourage your workers to report any safety and health concerns.

Beyond these suggestions, you should check your local and state laws for any additional requirements on curbside and takeout service.  As the restaurant industry continues to try and recover from governmental shutdown orders, expect to see many of these “guidelines” to show up in your local and state reopening orders.