Restaurants in Spain are fitting plastic boxes for diners to sit inside after lockdown ends – The Sun

TOURISTS in Spain could soon find themselves dining in plastic boxes – with a screen down the centre of the table.

The plans for the clear plastic cages are one of several ideas being trialled by Madrid restaurant owners, in an effort to adhere to strict social distancing rules once the lockdown has been lifted.

⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates

One restaurant in Leganes has already fitted the boxes, which have been built by the Llenatubar company.

Customers would waited to be seated at the entrance to a restaurant or bar, where they would then be met by a waiter wearing a face mask and rubber gloves.

They would then be guided to their table, passing by the other diners in their own plastic boxes.

This would allow each guests to enjoy their meal in a restaurant atmosphere without worrying about whether they would contract coronavirus from either the person sat in front of them or those walking past.

According to The Local, the screens are made of the same material that is already being used to protect cashiers art supermarket checkouts.

The cost of the plastic boxes would work out at around €600-700 per table, placing a large financial burden on bars and restaurants who have already been badly hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

Bars across Spain are being forced to sell up at massively reduced prices after suffering huge losses due to coronavirus.

British holidays to the country may be very different when tourists are welcomed back as businesses close down.

According to reports, Madrid is also considering increasing the size of outdoor space given over to restaurants, to allow them to seat more diners with appropriate social distancing.

Meanwhile, nightclubs in the country want to follow the example of discos in China by reopening on a phased basis, with staff and guests wearing masks, having their temperature taken and washing their hands with disinfectant gel.

CORONAVIRUS CRISIS – STAY IN THE KNOW

Don't miss the latest news and figures – and essential advice for you and your family.

To receive The Sun's Coronavirus newsletter in your inbox every tea time, sign up here.
To follow us on Facebook, simply 'Like' our Coronavirus page.

Get Britain's best-selling newspaper delivered to your smartphone or tablet each day – find out more.

The National Federation of Entrepreneurs for Leisure and Entertainment "Spain by Night," said the system would work and they have been studying videos of post-confinement nights in clubs in the Asian country.

And in Alicante, "Covid free" certificates are being launched for hotels, which will see a ban on hugs, handshakes or kisses for clients, protective gear for chambermaids, voice-operated lifts and chambermaids with masks.

The Alicante Tourist Board and the Provincial Association of Hotels of the Province of Alicante (APHA) have created a security badge called "Alicante Covid Free" for hotels that comply with a series of protocols and security measures.

Mini bars, buffets and room service may also be a thing of the past as hotels ramp up their efforts to reduce the spread of coronavirus.

Resorts around the world are looking at ways to encourage guests to stay as bookings plummet to worrying lows.

In Il Ciak restaurant in Rome, Italy, is also trialling a new plexiglass separator to allow people to return to dining out again., although it is not a complete box like those in Madrid.

Source: Read Full Article