MITIAMA Guidance on Exemption for Restaurants/Bars

The Ministry of International Trade Investment Aviation and Maritime Affairs (MITIAMA), which grants curfew exemptions through its Curfew Time operation, has developed guidance for restaurant and bar owners seeking to open outdoor seating areas from Sunday, 7 June 2020.

The one page document offers COVID-19 prevention guidance with regards to set up of the outdoor area, operations and customer management. It was developed to assist restaurants and bars that are now permitted to open/re-open by the most recent public health regulations, pending approval by MITIAMA.

A copy of the guidelines is available from www.exploregov.ky/curfewtime the page developed by MITIAMA to facilitate applications by businesses for exemptions from curfew restrictions.

The rules set out for operations of restaurants and bars outdoors are as follows.

Set up:
• Tables should be a minimum of 8ft apart.
• Maximum group size is 6 individuals.
• Customers from different households must sit 6ft apart.
• Customers from the same household can sit closer together.
• Social distancing must be maintained in restrooms and waiting areas.
• All seating must be removed from the bar area.
• No person shall be permitted to be seated or served at an indoor counter in a restaurant or bar.

Restaurant Operations:
• All dining must be in an open-air establishment. No enclosed or a/c dining allowed.
• All employees must wear masks/face covering.
• Sanitisation stations must be setup accordingly.
• Mingling or physical contact with others is prohibited.
• All employees must maintain social distancing of 6ft from co-workers/guests.
• One time paper menus will be used, or no contact menu display boards..
• Shared condiments are not allowed on tables—all condiments must be single use.
• Bus staff must wear gloves and mask when handling used dishes and tables.
• Restaurant and bars shall operate no later than 9pm.

Customer management:
• Customers can only be served when seated at a table. No bar or standing service.
• Customers must use a mask/face covering at all times when not seated at their table.
• Mingling or physical contact with others is prohibited.

Curfew Time reminds owners to ensure compliance with the requirements of all other Government agencies involved in the regulation of restaurants prior to seeking an exemption.

Applicants making physical changes to their outdoors areas must email a copy of their site plan/sketch to [email protected] for review.

Food hygiene requirements for the reopening of food establishments are available from the Department of Environmental Health at [email protected].