Restaurants in Ruidoso begin to slowly open indoor dining services

An emergency public health order issued by the New Mexico Department of Health was extended and amended to permit patio and limited indoor dining at restaurants and the re-opening of hair salons, gyms and indoor shopping malls on a limited basis.The order was meant to stop the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus statewide.

As local restaurants began to offer patio dining and prepare for limited in-door seating, the New Mexico Department of Health planned to begin inspections on May 28 to ensure compliance with recommended safety practices.

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Restaurants offered the mandated 50 percent maximum occupancy beginning June 1.

Cornerstone Bakery Cafe 

Business owner Steve Gomez developed a new system to ensure COVID safe practices during the indoor dining changes.

Customers check-in outside for indoor seating and assigned a number, where they waited, outside along the buildings walkway. Each numbered space is six-feet apart.

"We had to reorganized the entire arrangement of our indoor seating, moving tables and sanitizing everything," said owner Steve Gomez.

Maintaining only 50 percent occupancy, seating inside is "rotated between the three different dining areas."

"Since we had to readjust our seating arrangements, we rotate seating between the rooms, and outside dining. Guests check-in, then we seat them as we count the number of customers. Once they leave, we have to  completely sanitize everything from the tables to chairs. We don't have any condiments on the tables (salt, pepper, ketchup, and the like). Those are provided in disposable packets," said Gomez.

"I really want to thank the community for all they have done by supporting us. I hope that the other businesses out there will survive what has happened to Ruidoso in these past few months. It has been sad to see some of businesses close here and maybe not be able to reopen. This has been such a huge impact on our economy here," he said.

Hunt and Harvest

Jasper Riddle, owner of Hunt and Harvest, began planning to open indoor dining last week while it began operating patio dining.

"We are excited to see our community start operations and bring back employees. We are following all directives and have updated our staff with training to the new COVID protocols. Our customers safety is our utmost concern," he said.

Riddle asked that patrons understand that with all the recent changes to maximum occupancy, to be patient and "that all small businesses are now trying to adapt to the new 50 percent capacity mandates."

Many restaurants prepared to open this weekend, though some chose to keep the doors closed in order to remodel. Others continued to offer only to-go services at this time.

Bar and counter seating are still prohibited. To be served, customers must be seated at tables positioned at least 6 feet apart, per the amended emergency public health order, among other required and recommended practices.

Safety practices 

• Employees must wear face masks and gloves at all times
• Drinking glasses may only be used one time
• Condiments (salt, pepper, sugar, ketchup)  must be served in sealed packets and cannot be recycled
• Tables and chairs must be sanitized after each use
• Tables must be six-feet apart and no more than six people per table
• Pets are allowed at patio dining only, unless they are a service dog
• Dinner ware must be washed and sanitized directly after every use 
• Any employee that shows any symptoms of COVID-19 may not be allowed to work

“Reopening our economy is not an invitation to forget about the risks of this virus – it is a mandate that we be more cautious and careful about our choices and decisions than ever before,” said Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in a news release.

Read more:

More:Patio dining returns to Ruidoso restaurants: locals and visitors flock to take a seat

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“Just because you can go doesn’t mean you should. Ask yourself: Is this business operating with safe practices? When in doubt, err on the side of safety and stay home."

The New Mexico Environment Department Food Program exists to protect employees, consumers, and the general public from adverse health and safety conditions.

The NMED Food Program conducts the following activities:

• Conducting public outreach events to help raise food safety awareness among the public.
• Conducting thorough food establishment “health inspections” to assure compliance with the current New Mexico Food Service and Processing Regulations at least once per year.

For information about services offered, contact the individual business by phone. Some restaurants are offering limited menus at this time.

Workers may file reports about suspected unsafe work environments in the state at nmenv-osha@state.nm.us.

Pamela L. Bonner may be reached at Pbonner@RuidosoNews.com, Pam Bonner on Facebook, @PamelaLBonner1 on Twitter, or by phone at 575-202-5555.