As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on with new variants of the virus emerging, restaurants need to remain hyper-vigilant when it comes to imposing health and safety precautions. Providing hand sanitizing stations and asking customers to maintain physical distance and wear masks in common areas has become standard operating procedures for all dine-in restaurants and businesses in general. But with the Omicron variant spreading rapidly, it’s time for restaurants to take it a step further. Grocery stores have long since adopted the use of sneeze guards to protect employees and customers alike. Now it’s time for restaurant sneeze guards to become equally widespread.
What Are Restaurant Sneeze Guards Made of?
If you’ve ever been inside a bakery, coffee shop, or a restaurant with a hot table, then you’ve seen a sneeze guard before. Sneeze guards are protective barriers made of Plexiglas or acrylic plastic. They act as barriers to prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses from one person to another.
In the past, they were primarily used to prevent food contamination in public places. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, various health agencies have mandated that all banks, grocery stores, and other direct customer-facing businesses must install sneeze guards to prevent the spread of the virus. Sneeze guards block airborne droplets that come out of people’s mouths and noses from making contact with another person or contaminating a food item.
The Spread of COVID-19 and Use of Sneeze Guards
Sneeze guards on their own aren’t enough to stop the spread of COVID-19 altogether. In order to be effective, they need to be adopted in conjunction with other strict health and safety measures and mandates such as physical distancing, hand washing, and sanitizing affected surfaces.
Restaurant dividers for COVID-19 are designed to protect diners from different parties by acting as a barrier between tables and booths. Given the fact that water droplets can become airborne, however, and not to mention how many people will inevitably come into contact with the sneeze guards, it’s important to make sure that they’re thoroughly cleaned and sanitized between each use.
Types of Sneeze Guards for Self-Serve Restaurants
There are two main types of restaurant sneeze guards available on the market: short and full welded steel supports. Both are equally effective at supporting the sneeze guards and securing them firmly in place. It’s just a matter of aesthetics and the style preferences of the restaurant owner.
Restaurant sneeze guards are incredibly adaptable and can be cut to any shape or size required for your space. They’re also available in a variety of colors and shades to match the aesthetic of your restaurant.
Where to Get Restaurant Sneeze Guards and Dividers for COVID-19
Restaurant sneeze guards have always been a prevalent fixture in bakeries, fast food restaurants, and even in medical facilities. But the ongoing pandemic has put them in much higher demand than ever before. Canada Plastics & Belting Inc. is one of the leading sneeze guard suppliers in Toronto and the GTA. We have many years of experience designing and manufacturing high-quality acrylic and Plexiglas sneeze guards for a wide range of clients. Contact us today to learn more about our products.