Anonymous wrote:I would make sure they understand the risks of going unmasked in a public indoor space right now.
I would not make reservations. Restaurants are closing to in-person every day. Instead, make a list of places that are the right location and cuisine/price, and the day before, call directly to confirm they will be open, find out if there are changes to service or hours, and request a table.
Places might only allow seating in a covered, heated patio, for instance. Or they may close at 9 instead of midnight.
Expect limited menus and slow service due to staffing shortages.
Make sure they have vaccine cards. I would also provide them with rapid tests and ask that they each take one that day.
Provide a list of good quality masks (kn94s or, at a minimum, surgical masks) and make sure they have multiple. Recommend they where them upon entering and any time they get up from their table. The restaurant will likely have a rule for this but it can be hard to enforce— hearing it from the organization will help them prepare to do this.
They need to understand that things have changed substantially regarding Covid in just the last two weeks in DC. This isn’t paranoia. There are literally just so many people with Covid in DC that restaurants are struggling to stay open and protect their staff, much less customers, from illness. If at all possible, I recommend getting a catered meal at the meeting venue or a private room at their hotel.
Thank you!