New online training course prepares hospitality businesses to safely welcome customers back inside from May 17th

A new health and safety course from leading online training providers Virtual College has been designed to help hospitality businesses prepare to deliver safe indoor service once restrictions allow.

With pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes all set to open for indoor drinking and dining on May 17th, the Safe Return to Work: Seated Service training offers advice and guidance on how hospitality workers can keep themselves and their workplace safe to avoid the spread of coronavirus.

After the reintroduction of outdoor service at the start of April, many businesses will now be preparing to further open their doors or open for the first time since the lockdown restrictions that were put in place at the start of 2021.

The up-to-date ‘Seated Service’ course provides an overview of the latest government guidance and suggestions for how employers and their employees can prepare for when groups of up to six people are allowed to meet at indoor venues for food and drink.

Included in these suggestions is a guide to carrying out a workplace risk assessment in light of current health and safety advice. Protective measures such as social distancing and wearing PPE are covered in this section, as well as advice on travelling to and from work safely and how to minimise the spread of infection between teams of employees.

Virtual College’s course also covers the new policies that need to be put in place when offering indoor seated service in a hospitality venue and the kind of training that employers might need to offer their staff before reopening. Actions such as frequent hand washing, regular cleaning of surfaces and keeping the workplace well-ventilated are all advised, along with insight on how this may affect service and the running of the business.

As restrictions continue to lift, it’s good news for the hospitality industry and those who can get back to work in bars and restaurants. The training course is a valuable resource for owners, managers and employees who will be providing a seated service option for indoor diners from the middle of May, helping to keep both workers and customers safe as the country eases out of the pandemic.