Doherty’s Irish Pub & Restaurant

Our Approach To COVID-19

 

CREATED: March 12, 2020 | LAST UPDATED: March 16, 2020

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To our staff and guests,

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Dohertys' health and safety standards have always been a top priority in our daily operations. Right now we are being tasked with the opportunity to work harder than ever to demonstrate this value. As a family-owned, established restaurant, we regularly deal with larger crowds and guests waiting to dine. As an Irish pub and restaurant, we know that we need to be hyper-vigilant on St. Patrick’s Day.

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Understanding the impact of this concern on our team, under our Open Door policy we have reached out to each individual to allow them the opportunity to communicate if they are uncomfortable working at this time and create an open dialogue about any stress they may be experiencing as a result. We have also communicated that they are welcome to choose to self quarantine without concern for their place here at the pub.

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Our efforts this week have concentrated on minimizing the number of people inside the pub at any given time and contributing to a safe environment. We believe in complete transparency, so we are sharing our internal action plan as it went into effect last weekend. 

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Our efforts are focused on identifying concerns now, and to remain agile and responsive as the situation evolves while prioritizing what is right for our employees of a small business, our guests, and our community. As an Irish pub in the middle of March, it’s also about anticipating a set of circumstances unique to us and adapting for the safety and health of everyone.

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Effective 3/14/2020

Dining In 

1. Our seating capacity will be reduced through the removal of all free-standing seating in the bar to promote social distancing for the day. We will today, and until further notice, seat booths first in the dining room, as they are built with high privacy partitions. 

2. Staff will increase handwashing and sanitizing frequency, using proper procedures outlined by the CDC.

3. Hand washing/hand sanitizing signs will be posted throughout the venue, both inside and out to encourage healthy habits. 

4. Staff will increase the frequency in which we sanitize tabletops, menus, booth seats, dining seats, bar stools, ledges, handrails, door handles, door jams, and decorative surfaces with regularly tested and approved sanitation solution.

5. Staff will frequently clean all POS stations and handheld ordering devices with disposable, commercially produced and approved sanitizer wipes.

6. Hand sanitizer stations have been installed throughout the restaurant for easy accessibility, using commercially produced and approved hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.

Dining Out

1. We will encourage pick-up and delivery through our mobile app, mobile browser, and desktop browser by offering $5 off online orders.  This promotion will be extended through the end of March as of now.

2. Pickup for guests and delivery drivers will be moved to a location separate from guests and staff flow, designated the Takeout Station.

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Effective 3/16/2020

Dining In 

1. Our seating capacity will be further reduced through the removal of several free-standing tables to promote social distancing. We will continue to seat booths first, as they are built with high privacy partitions. 

   1. Our bars use stools that may be moved by guests. To combat this, we will use half of the bar seats used in regular operations.

   2. In adherence to social distancing guidelines, we will not combine any remaining free-standing tables to serve large parties.

2. Our waiting area will be moved to the outside of the building, mind that guests are not mandated to wait outside and given the notification that this is an available option to facilitate social distancing. 

3. Guests will be offered disposable utensils and cups, by request. 

4. All condiments, salt and pepper shakers, and tabletop signs will be removed from all tables and bar tops. Condiments, salt and pepper are available upon request and given in disposable packets.

5. Checks will no longer be presented in “chec books,” all printed checks will be placed face down on the table for the guest.

Dining Out 

1. We will encourage pick-up and delivery through our mobile app, mobile browser, and desktop browser by offering $5 off online orders.  This promotion will be extended through the end of March as of now.

2. Pickup for guests and delivery drivers will be moved to a location separate from guests and staff flow, designated the Takeout Station. 

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