Restaurant COVID-19 etiquette tips: Rules of engagement for dining out during the pandemic

The rules of dining etiquette have changed amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly two years into the historical event, restaurant workers and diners continue to adapt and adhere to the latest health and safety mandates.

However, some social guidelines have fallen into the gray area when it comes to dining out.

Where should diners store their masks once eating? Should a mask be worn when picking up a curbside order?

Mike McCarty, chef/owner of The Lobster Trap, and Aaron Thomas, chef/owner of Nine Mile, have given their recommendations for how to navigate potentially awkward and concerning situations scenarios while dining out during the pandemic.

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Scenario: A masked diner is seated and immediately takes off their mask once seated and doesn’t put it back on.

Response: Face coverings are required for all indoor public spaces in Buncombe County, per the mandate of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners.

Guests are recommended to wear a mask when inside the building and unless actively eating or drinking at their table, Thomas said. This includes when going to the restroom or walking through the restaurant for any other reason.

“A lot of people who work in the restaurants right now feel like it lessens the risk," Thomas said. "It doesn’t take it all the way. But it also shows that you care about the people who are working, and you care about the people who may get sick and unfortunately who may pass away. It’s a level of respect and common courtesy to do those things.”

If a mask is easily accessible, put on a mask whenever speaking to staff or anyone who is not in your dining party, McCarty said.

“In our restaurant, people’s hands are always covered with lobster and butter,” McCarty said. “If you don’t have to dirty up your mask or a nice coat where your mask is inside or laying on, yeah, it’d be nice to throw your mask on. It’s sort of recognizing that, ‘You have to wear this mask, I’m in this with you, I’ll put it on right now while I’m speaking to you, as well.’ It’s a solidarity type of thing.”

Scenario: A diner is at their table and ready to eat and drink. Where should they put their mask?

Response: Putting a mask on a table may be perceived as unsanitary or rude to some but it’s acceptable to others.

“When you’re seated, that space is your space,” McCarty said. “Put it on the table if you want.”

“I say stick it in your pocket. Personally, that’s what I would do,” Thomas said. “To me, it’s like having a used Kleenex on your table. It’s just kind of gross.”

Scenario: A masked server delivers an order to a customer’s vehicle for curbside pickup. Should the customer wear a mask when the server comes to the window?

Response: “Sure. It doesn’t hurt,” McCarty said.

The Centers for Diease Control and Prevention recommends individuals keep 6 feet between another person who isn’t a part of their household. If the worker must be closer than 6 feet to pass a diner their order, a mask should be worn by both persons.

Scenario: A diner arrives at a restaurant and the staff isn’t wearing masks in the dining room and/or in the kitchen, per local mandate.

Response: “If somebody’s not wearing their mask and they’re an employee, yeah, it should be brought to the management’s attention,” Thomas said. “Even then, sometimes management doesn’t care either.”

Prevent getting blindsided by acting before going to or ordering from a restaurant. The CDC recommends calling ahead and asking if the restaurant’s staff wears masks while at work.

Scenario: A diner is seated on an open-air patio where masks aren't required.

Response: The CDC categorizes curbside and delivery food orders as safer methods to dining with restaurants. Also, outdoor eating at a restaurant where the tables are at least 6 feet apart.

“Unless you’re speaking directly, close to someone that you don’t know, it’s pretty lenient outside,” McCarty said.

Scenario: A diner is seated at a table, bar or counter and no one is near them at the time. A guest arrives and is seated at a table less than 6 feet away or at the barstool directly next to them.

Response: As a diner, McCarty has been in the situation of having to decide whether to pay the check and leave early, put on a mask until a crowded area clears out or alert a server of the situation, he said.

“It’s a difficult situation. You have to weigh your own – what you’re willing to risk," McCarty said. "There is a risk factor. It’s difficult too because restaurants are in a difficult place. There’s only the mask mandate. I’ve been in the situation where it’s difficult to corral people.”

As a restaurateur, he said that it’s not an inconvenience to request to be seated away from other parties at The Lobster Trap.

“There’s no space restrictions right now. If someone is uncomfortable with that, we’ll certainly accommodate them whether it’s to ask them to wait just a little bit longer for another table,” McCarty said. “Or if there is space at the bar, we’re totally happy to ask somebody to scoot down a seat or two to fit some people in.”

Currently, local restaurants do not have capacity limits. However, some establishments have spaced out tables and seats to allow social distancing.

At Nine Mile, spacing is made between parties at the bar. Some bar seats have been removed to allow more wiggle room. Social distancing issues haven’t been as much of a voiced concern compared to earlier in the pandemic, Thomas said.

“If you’re coming out to eat at a restaurant, you really shouldn’t be that concerned because it is a high-risk activity,” Thomas said. “If you’re really concerned, you should probably just get it to go at this point.”

To prevent feeling overcrowded, let the host and server know before or upon arrival that you’d like to be seated away from other guests so they can make accommodations, if possible, McCarty said. An open line of communication can make it easier for the staff to make a comfortable environment.

“At that point, you’ve put it out there. Then your server or bartender is aware or has an idea of your comfort level and they can accommodate as best as they can,” McCarty said.

“If you feel uncomfortable, you should at least voice your concern but sometimes restaurants just can’t accommodate that,” Thomas said.

Scenario: A guest enters the restaurant sans masks and refuses to put one on.

Response: A common situation at a restaurant is ensuring diners are following mask protocols while in the restaurant, McCarty said. Even with signs posted asking guests to put on their masks, sometimes it’s not enough.

“There are points of awkwardness. It’s never super comfortable to ask someone, ‘Hey, do you mind putting on your mask on the way to the bathroom or if you’re not at your table, can you put on your mask?’” McCarty said.

In 2020, reminding guests to wear masks and enforcing mandates was more frequent, McCarty said. More than a year and a half into the pandemic, most diners know and follow the rules. However, there have been a couple of incidents at The Lobster Trap and Nine Mile that have led to taking further action.

There were two instances where McCarty has had to step in and ask a guest to leave after their refusal to follow the mandates, he said.

“If someone is being hostile, we’ll probably ask them to leave. We don’t need to tolerate that,” McCarty said.

Nine Mile staff have handled situations by asking guests to put on a mask and if they don’t have one, offer to provide one. Sometimes, that’s not enough.

“There have been a few who’ve been like, ‘We’re not wearing it,’ and we said, ‘Well, then we’re not serving you.’” Thomas said.

Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at tkennell@citizentimes.com or follow her on Twitter/Instagram @PrincessOfPage.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Restaurant COVID-19 etiquette tips for dining out during the pandemic