There Have Been Over 1,000 COVID-Related Complaints Directed at King County Restaurants in 2020

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

When area diners saw something in potential violation of COVID-19 mandates, they said something. According to Public Health — Seattle & King County, there were 1,022 COVID-related restaurant complaints filed from March to December 10, department spokesperson Gabriel Spitzer tells Eater Seattle. The department did not go into specifics about what those complaints entailed but, in general, they would encompass anything from not observing proper social distancing protocols, to a lack of proper mask-wearing among staff and customers, to any non-compliance with the health and sanitation guidelines for food establishments set forth by local officials during the pandemic.

The summer saw the highest numbers of COVID-related complaints filed to the health department, when restaurants in King County began to reopen for dine-in service. That was followed by a brief downturn in complaints this fall around the time when restrictions lightened up further. Before Thanksgiving, Gov. Jay Inslee instituted the latest indoor dining ban, which has been extended until early 2021 due to the alarming spike in COVID cases. From December 1 through December 10, there were 72 COVID-related restaurant complaints.

But it’s rare that those call-outs turn into punitive measures. Per official records, only two King County restaurants have been shut down by the department because of COVID-related violations during the pandemic. Duke’s on Alki closed in July after seven employees at the location tested positive for COVID-19. Even though the restaurant claimed it had followed protocols regarding the state’s “Safe Start” plan, officials found the set-up of the restaurant did not follow social distancing requirements. More recently, Blue Nile Ethiopian Restaurant on Rainier Avenue S was closed December 11 by the health department for providing indoor dining and bar service, and for serving customers who were not following the mask mandate. Just a day later, the restaurant was allowed to reopen.

Spitzer echoes what health officials have said since the beginning of the pandemic: the primary approach the department takes to restaurants found in potential violation of COVID protocols has been one of education, rather than strict enforcement. “The vast majority of businesses are cooperative and work in good faith to come into compliance,” he says. To that end, the department has launched a mobile outreach effort to help businesses adjust to the latest restrictions. A specially outfitted van gives out free COVID-19 supplies — such as antimicrobial cleaning solvents, hand sanitizers, gloves, and masks — and team members are on hand to provide support to restaurants in an “atmosphere outside the normal inspector-inspectee setting,” Spitzer said.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddrink/foodnews/there-have-been-over-1-000-covid-related-complaints-directed-at-king-county-restaurants-in-2020/ar-BB1bViRR?ocid=hplocalnews

[dutch777]

2. I have been noticing all the restaurants putting up outdoor pavilions....beware!

Driving around Seattle I have seen more restaurants moving operations outdoors. Given our weather this time of year, many are not only roofed, but closing the walls in with what look like party tent sides. As someone who worked in a hospital and was schooled in the principals of infection control, I can tell you that at the point you decrease free air flow, you may as well just be eating indoors. The idea is to have as much air flow volume and mixing as possible to dilute any airborne germs or virus, and enclosure defeats that. I feel for the restaurants and that we are all VERY tired of being trapped in our bubble, but be careful and don't be lulled into a false sense of security just because you are outside.

[msongs]

3. seems to me ppl who are really covid concerned would not be going to restaurants anyway nt