Photo: Courtesy, Hugo’s

Experience Fayetteville launched an online survey this week seeking more information about local restaurant owners’ plans for possibly reopening next week.

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson last week announced that restaurants would be allowed to open for dine-in service on Monday, May 11 as long as they operate under a list of several conditions. Hutchinson said the state will take a phased approach to opening restaurants, and that restrictions would be gradually removed in each of the three planned phases.

Phase 1 will limit restaurants to one-third of dining capacity, and tables must be distanced and patrons must be spaced apart while inside the establishment. Reservations and pre-orders will be encouraged, but not mandated since those systems don’t work for every type of restaurant.

Face masks, gloves and frequent hand washing will be required for all restaurant staff, and they must also participate in daily screenings to ensure no employees are showing possible symptoms of COVID-19. All tables and menus must be cleaned and disinfected after each use.

Patrons will also have to wear face masks from the time they enter a restaurant until after their orders are placed. No single groups of more than 10 people will be served, and self-service is not allowed.

The new survey seeks to understand how many restaurants will be ready to open their dining rooms on May 11. If restaurants are not ready to reopen for dine-in service yet, the survey asks what dates local establishments may be targeting.

“We always want to be a resource for our hospitality partners and having this information helps us share their stories with the Fayetteville community,” said Hazel Hernandez, VP for Sales & Marketing at Experience Fayetteville.

The survey also includes questions on what precautions restaurants are planning to implement to help keep customers safe, and on what curbside, delivery, take-out, or grocery services restaurants are currently utilizing.

The survey period closes on Wednesday, May 13.

Restaurant owners or managers can fill out the Experience Fayetteville survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/restaurantopenings.