In order to comply with Stay Safe MN guidance, restaurants are required to ask guests and staff to wear a properly fitted face-covering in indoor settings. For the most part, customers will automatically adhere to these guidelines, but there are some that will argue or refuse to follow them. What should food service managers do in order to comply with mask enforcement guidelines and prevent an incident with an unruly guest who refuses to wear a face-covering in dining areas?
How Food Service Managers Can Promote Mask Use Without Confrontation
Food service managers have enough on their plate as it is, so dealing with customers who refuse to follow mask mandates adds additional frustration during already trying times. We have a few suggestions that may ward off a confrontation before it begins.
Food service managers should have clear signage that masks are required indoors. Customers should be made well aware of that before they even set foot in your establishment. Since reservations are required for indoor dining, guests should be reminded when making these reservations that that will not be allowed in the building without a face covering. We’d also recommend that you provide curbside pick-up and let potential guests know that to-go orders are available. If you have these options available, those who do not wish to wear masks will have the ability to order from your restaurant without stepping foot inside.
People are usually understanding if they know ahead of time that these rules are in effect, so making it abundantly clear could go a long way towards preventing frustration.
We’ve talked to a few restaurateurs who have had customers try to use a couple of popular lines of reasoning in order to enter dining rooms without face coverings. The two most common reasons guest attempt to boycott face coverings are:
- Violation of Constitutional Rights
- The Americans with Disabilities Act
From a legal standpoint, the First Amendment of the Constitution does not apply to private residences or businesses. To put it simply, the First Amendment applies to the U.S. government restricting speech, not your private business. Food service managers can refuse to serve those not wearing a mask without violating their Constitutional rights.
The ADA does require restaurants to make accommodations for those with disabilities unless doing so would impede their ability to safely serve other guests. Since CDC guidelines state that asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers could spread the disease, it’s a food service manager’s duty to make sure masks are worn. In this case, recommend curbside pick-up or to-go orders if you have a guest who may not be able to breathe for long periods of time while wearing a face covering.
How are you communicating mask rules to your customers?
