b'BEING SOCIAL WHILE SOCIALLY DISTANCINGOhio (at press time) allows groups of up to 300 people.No matter the event, guests must be socially distanced, with tables or guests spaced six feet apart, so Johnson and her team work to ensure the floor plans for each event SAFETY FIRST can fit in the venue. A general recommendation is 60-inch CMPE meets and exceeds Ohios health and safety guidelines.tables with 6-7 people at each, or up to 8-10 for tables with All event guests are required to check in upon arrival at afamily members. Welcome Wellness Table, where they sanitize their hands;The dancing protocols are particularly tricky. We have provide their names; and sign an acknowledgement that theyadded tall cabaret tables to help spread out people on are symptom-free, do not have a temperature over 100F,the dance floor, says Johnson. We encourage the band and agree to all of CMPEs health and safety protocols. Thisto play slower songs after a few higher energy songs. helps us with our own contact tracing in case its needed, saysFurthermore, Johnsons team is suggesting that clients Johnson.Other practices include: consider LED wristbands for guests (who must wear Hand Sanitizer Stations at each entrance, at restroommasks while dancing), which would help manage how entrances and throughout the venue.many people are on the dance floor.A guest enters the dance floor when the wristband lights up in a certain color Sanitation Stewards, who are focused on cleaning commonand leaves when the color turns off.areas and restrooms, fully stocking sanitation items andAdditional protocols include:ensuring safety protocols are followed.All food and drink must be served. No one can Restrooms limited to two people at a time.congregate at the bar. Instead, guests can walk up to a bar Masks required for all associates.to get a beverage from a masked bartender.Masks required for guests in all common spaces, whenThe line for the bar is marked with indicators of where to entering, when exiting, and when standing and talking whilestand to maintain social distance. socially distanced. Masks may be removed when they are seated at their table.Associates receiving a wellness check prior to each shift and staying home if they show any symptoms.A signed acknowledgment on file for all employees of COVID-19 training and safety. Proper glove use and handwashing required by all staff, and scheduled station sanitation times for the kitchen team. ServSafe-certified associates onsite at all times.cateringmagazine.com CATERING MAGAZINE19'