Now that Metro Manila is in general community quarantine (GCQ), restaurants are finally allowed to serve food in their premises, as long as they fill their establishments only up to 30% capacity, not to mention comply with a host of strict guidelines, including health declaration forms, regular sanitizing, and social distancing.

Monday, June 15 was D-Day for restaurants that decided to open on the first day allowable. While nerve-wracking for restaurant owners who haven’t served customers on site since mid-March, many of them remain cautiously optimistic. Spanky Enriquez, spokesperson for the newly established restaurant group RestoPH, shares feedback from its members, “The initial reports from yesterday (June 15) are very positive, with a significant uptick in sales for many restaurants, and the dine-in market was enthusiastic.” While it remains to be seen if restaurateurs can turn a profit when serving at only 30% capacity, Enriquez adds, “They’re looking forward to Father’s Day weekend as a vote of confidence from the public. The more people see that the restaurants and malls are ‘safe zones,’ the more they will go out to eat.”

So is it truly safe to dine out? It may indeed be so, going by how seriously restaurants are enforcing sanitation and social distancing measures. To show just what they are doing to make their premises safe for both diners and staff, here’s what a sampling of Metro Manila restaurants currently look like as they open their doors this week:

Click on the arrows for slideshow

Separated tables with partitions at Wildflour Café + Bakery in Bonifacio Global City.

Masked, goggled, and gloved servers at Bench Café.

Social distancing at amano in Power Plant, Rockwell.

An order-all-you-can system at Vikings, Megamall.

Clear partitions, social distancing/sanitizing notices, and hand sanitizer at every table of TGIFriday’s.

A server with mask, face shield, and gloves serving diners at a table with partitions at The French Baker Salon de Thé, Megamall.

Lining up at Marugame Udon in Fisher Mall.

Contactless menu via QR code scan at Mamma Mia, Uptown Mall BGC.

Clear partitions with small openings, and plastic-lined chairs at Mango Tree, Bonifacio Global City.

Plastic divider at the sushi counter of Ogawa in Bonifacio Global City.

Directional arrows to manage traffic flow at Botejyu, Vertis North.

A partitioned table with a spread of food at Brotzeit, Shangri-La Plaza.

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