In South Africa, the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has not affected some businesses. People still gather in restaurants and other venues, so long as the group is below 100 people.
Coronavirus SA: 62 infected, no deaths reported
However, this still poses a massive risk of the virus spreading, even if people are very much aware of their surroundings and the things they touch.
Coronavirus has, as things stand, infected 62 people in South Africa, with only 15% deemed to be in need of hospital treatment.
The virus has not reared its head in our borders the way it has in places like Italy where hundreds of deaths are recorded per day.
This daunting reality makes it clear how easy it is to transmit coronavirus. Also, no one, no matter your race, ethnicity or age, is immune to it.
Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson recover from COVID-19
Hollywood actors Idris Elba and Tom Hanks — along with his wife Rita Wilson — are the latest A-list celebrities to come forth and admit that they have tested positive for coronavirus.
Hanks and his wife were happy to inform the world that they were discharged from self-isolation in Australia and have since been granted leave to return home.
This positive news restores hope in our ability to fight this stubborn virus. However, it is vital that we prioritise preventative measures all the while maintaining some normalcy in our lives.
People who are fortunate enough to have access to restaurants can be susceptible to the vastly spreading virus.
To do our part in driving awareness around coronavirus, we have drummed up three ways in which you can pick up coronavirus at a restaurant or when you’re eating out.
Hopefully, this information will equip people and serve as a constant reminder to practise extreme caution out there.
Three ways you could pick up coronavirus at restaurants
Utensils touching the table
According to Live Strong, the most harmful bacteria at restaurants is found on tabletops. Often, you will find that some establishments don’t place utensils on a side plate. Instead, it is wrapped in a serviette and left on the table for patrons to use.
In normal circumstances, we would not fret about this. However, in a period of uncertainty, where the world is one big quarantine site, this is unhygienic and poses a great danger to those with compromised immune systems.
How many hands have touched that menu?
Restaurants don’t have the time or budget to print out disposable menus on a daily basis. So, there are a set number of menus that are rotated throughout the day and it is the duty of the front-of-house staff to wipe it clean every time it has been used.
However, one can’t rely on an underpaid — and possibly frustrated — waiter to do this consistently. Therefore, it is best to look at the menu from the restaurant’s website before booking a table so you know what it is you’re going to have. The alternative is kindly asking the waiter to wipe the menu clean before distributing it around the table.
Everyone loves condiments, so do germs
Another item that exchanges many hands in restaurants is the condiments tray of tomato sauce and mustard. Once again, before you touch anything, it is best to ask the waiter to wipe everything clean, if this was not practised as soon as you were guided to your table.