Click HERE to learn more about the Connecticut Hospitality Promise
Section I – Introduction
What is the Connecticut Hospitality Promise?
In partnership with the Connecticut Restaurant Association and health officials across the state, Catering & Private Event operators have made a set of commitments to their employees and customers. This standard of recovery procedures has created the Connecticut Hospitality Promise. The Connecticut Hospitality Promise will demonstrate that these Catering & Private Event companies are committed to take all necessary steps to protect their employees and customers, as well as taking an initiative role in protecting their community.
The industry will continue to comply with federal, state, and local guidance as a reopening process begins. The CRA remains committed to providing feedback to elected officials and health departments which ensures compliance with these standards as well as taking into consideration the unique needs of our industry. The Connecticut Hospitality Promise also empowers customers to learn what they can do to keep everyone safe. With these businesses and customers working together, the hospitality industry can be as vibrant as it was prior to the impact of COVID-19.
Section II – Caterer & Private Event Responsibilities & Options
How do caterers and private event companies participate in the CT Hospitality Promise?
These businesses agree to comply with governmental guidance for all phases of reopening and recovery. We also commit to protect our employees and customers in the following ways:
Section III – Best Practices
What are some best practices caterers/private event companies can implement to enhance their commitment to the CT Hospitality Promise?
These businesses are already experts in safe food handling and sanitation, so many of their routine practices comply with fulfilling the commitments in the Connecticut Hospitality Promise. Different strategies will be appropriate for different businesses at different times. Please see the following, which are ideas that can be implemented to fit a business’s needs:
What questions should a caterer/private event company ask its employees to perform health screenings before each shift?
Yes or no questions/statements like these can help strike the balance between obtaining the necessary health information and respecting privacy concerns. Recommendation is to have all employees complete a simple pre-shift screening that includes answering questions like:
How should participating businesses communicate the commitments of the CT Hospitality Promise?
It is vital that these caterers/private event companies communicate the commitments directly to their staff and monitor compliance. They should also take steps to communicate their enrollment in the Connecticut Hospitality Promise by posting the infographic poster. If the business has a website or social media, we recommend advertising enrollment on there as well.
Section IV – Customer Responsibilities & Options
Why are customers included within the CT Hospitality Promise?
Customers are included because we all have a responsibility to follow public health authority guidance to prevent the spread of COVID-19. By partnering together, we can keep everyone safe.
What commitments does the CT Hospitality Promise ask customers to make to these companies and venues?
Section V – Additional Resources & Next Steps
What resources and support are available related to the CT Hospitality Promise?
The Connecticut Restaurant Association will share information about the Connecticut Hospitality Promise with elected officials, policymakers, allied groups, as well as the media to assure the general public that Connecticut restaurants stand ready to reopen safely in keeping with these commitments. CRA will also be available to help answer questions and provide support to the caterers/private event companies as they reopen their dining and other full-service spaces.
The National Restaurant Association created COVID-19 Reopening Guidance along with ServSafe preparedness reopening trainings. These resources can be found at:
Click HERE to take the CT Hospitality Promise
Click HERE to take the CT Restaurant Promise
Connecticut Hospitality Promise Disclaimer The information, advice and/or opinion contained in the Connecticut Hospitality Promise Guidelines (“guidelines”) as presented above are provided for informational and promotional purposes only. No information, advice and/or opinion should be relied on, cited, or referenced as medical, financial, and/or legal authority. These guidelines are not designed to, and do not, provide medical, financial, or legal advice, nor should they serve as a substitute for professional medical, financial, or legal advice, consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional medical, financial advice or fail to seek advice because of something you read in these guidelines.
What is the Connecticut Hospitality Promise?
In partnership with the Connecticut Restaurant Association and health officials across the state, Catering & Private Event operators have made a set of commitments to their employees and customers. This standard of recovery procedures has created the Connecticut Hospitality Promise. The Connecticut Hospitality Promise will demonstrate that these Catering & Private Event companies are committed to take all necessary steps to protect their employees and customers, as well as taking an initiative role in protecting their community.
The industry will continue to comply with federal, state, and local guidance as a reopening process begins. The CRA remains committed to providing feedback to elected officials and health departments which ensures compliance with these standards as well as taking into consideration the unique needs of our industry. The Connecticut Hospitality Promise also empowers customers to learn what they can do to keep everyone safe. With these businesses and customers working together, the hospitality industry can be as vibrant as it was prior to the impact of COVID-19.
Section II – Caterer & Private Event Responsibilities & Options
How do caterers and private event companies participate in the CT Hospitality Promise?
These businesses agree to comply with governmental guidance for all phases of reopening and recovery. We also commit to protect our employees and customers in the following ways:
- Continue being a leader in safe sanitation practices
- Follow hand washing protocol for staff set by ServSafe©
- Have staff complete a health survey prior to each shift
- Have employees wear masks and other protective equipment in keeping with public health guidelines
- Have all indoor and outdoor seating options comply with the appropriate physical distancing guidelines
- Offer hand sanitizer or hand washing stations available upon entry and exit for guests and staff
- Continue cleaning and sanitizing common areas and surfaces regularly
- Continue cleaning and sanitizing tables and hard surfaces after every use
- Have place settings, utensils and glassware cleaned and disinfected after every use
- Monitor all third-party vendors to make sure they are following the recommended guidelines
- Have all performers, entertainers and presenters follow the recommended guidelines
- Control dance floors to make sure social distancing guidelines and group recommendations are followed
- Post the Connecticut Hospitality Promise information at our venues, on our website and through social media so everyone understands the steps we have taken to help keep our communities safe
Section III – Best Practices
What are some best practices caterers/private event companies can implement to enhance their commitment to the CT Hospitality Promise?
These businesses are already experts in safe food handling and sanitation, so many of their routine practices comply with fulfilling the commitments in the Connecticut Hospitality Promise. Different strategies will be appropriate for different businesses at different times. Please see the following, which are ideas that can be implemented to fit a business’s needs:
- Designate a single employee per shift, ideally with a clearly identifiable uniform or badge for customers to recognize to oversee safety and sanitation measures
- Limit table capacity in accordance with recommended guidelines
- Consider the use of physical barriers when appropriate
- Adjust floorplans to comply with social distancing guidelines
- Use signage and/or floor markings to help customers comply with social distance guidelines in common areas
- Suspend all self-serve, unattended buffets, topping bars, and other communal self-serving options
What questions should a caterer/private event company ask its employees to perform health screenings before each shift?
Yes or no questions/statements like these can help strike the balance between obtaining the necessary health information and respecting privacy concerns. Recommendation is to have all employees complete a simple pre-shift screening that includes answering questions like:
- Do you have any of these symptoms: fever, aches, cough, shortness of breath, headache, chills or loss of taste/smell?
- Have you come in contact with anyone diagnosed with COVID-19?
- Are you currently waiting for the results of a COVID-19 test?
- Have you traveled to an area with high COVID-19 concentration rates over the last 14 days?
- I understand my responsibility to not come to work if I have symptoms of COVID-19 or have recently come into contact with someone who has COVID-19.
- I understand my responsibility to comply with the restaurant’s health and sanitation standards.
How should participating businesses communicate the commitments of the CT Hospitality Promise?
It is vital that these caterers/private event companies communicate the commitments directly to their staff and monitor compliance. They should also take steps to communicate their enrollment in the Connecticut Hospitality Promise by posting the infographic poster. If the business has a website or social media, we recommend advertising enrollment on there as well.
Section IV – Customer Responsibilities & Options
Why are customers included within the CT Hospitality Promise?
Customers are included because we all have a responsibility to follow public health authority guidance to prevent the spread of COVID-19. By partnering together, we can keep everyone safe.
What commitments does the CT Hospitality Promise ask customers to make to these companies and venues?
- If you have been exposed to COVID-19 recently or have symptoms of COVID-19 (including a fever, aches, cough, shortness of breath, headache, chills or loss of taste/smell), keep everyone safe by staying home.
- If you have underlying health conditions or are otherwise concerned about contracting COVID-19, please stay home.
- If you have any questions about the Connecticut Hospitality Promise, please ask for a manager who will be happy to answer any questions.
Section V – Additional Resources & Next Steps
What resources and support are available related to the CT Hospitality Promise?
The Connecticut Restaurant Association will share information about the Connecticut Hospitality Promise with elected officials, policymakers, allied groups, as well as the media to assure the general public that Connecticut restaurants stand ready to reopen safely in keeping with these commitments. CRA will also be available to help answer questions and provide support to the caterers/private event companies as they reopen their dining and other full-service spaces.
The National Restaurant Association created COVID-19 Reopening Guidance along with ServSafe preparedness reopening trainings. These resources can be found at:
Click HERE to take the CT Hospitality Promise
Click HERE to take the CT Restaurant Promise
Connecticut Hospitality Promise Disclaimer The information, advice and/or opinion contained in the Connecticut Hospitality Promise Guidelines (“guidelines”) as presented above are provided for informational and promotional purposes only. No information, advice and/or opinion should be relied on, cited, or referenced as medical, financial, and/or legal authority. These guidelines are not designed to, and do not, provide medical, financial, or legal advice, nor should they serve as a substitute for professional medical, financial, or legal advice, consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional medical, financial advice or fail to seek advice because of something you read in these guidelines.
