Lifting Restrictions Does Not Guarantee Confidence

While it looks like President Biden will not reach his goal of having 70% of all Americans at least one vaccine dose by Independence Day, most states have already fully lifted COVID-19 capacity and distancing restrictions or are inching closer to doing so. Now over 15 months since the first restrictions were put in place, the time seems to have gone by relatively quickly. Many people are enthused about going back to normal and full capacity or already have been for some time. However, some are just as wary, specifically with indoor dining which is in most cases the first thing people will do to return to normal. 

Recently, Safety.com conducted a survey looking for estimates on American citizens’ willingness to go back to what was commonplace in February of 2020 by asking questions about indoor dining. The survey, with over 1,100 respondents, found that 71% of Americans are at least slightly concerned about returning to normal. Of those who are at least slightly concerned, 55% cited their main concern as returning to indoor dining at restaurants. This was further broken down by age brackets, which showed that older populations are much more troubled by this than younger people. 

Other similar surveys have been conducted with results just as interesting. Morning Consult, a data intelligence and market research company, runs a weekly survey last updated on June 23rd that concluded 68% of Americans feel overall comfortable dining out at restaurants. The survey has just around 2,200 respondents across different generations. Other results show that currently 40% of the respondents are ordering takeout at least once a week, compared to 35% dining at a restaurant once a week. Also, 46% of those adults said that they are at least somewhat excited to return to restaurants, with 33% already doing so, 11% showing indifference, and 11% not excited. 

Despite the differences in responses across multiple surveys, the conclusion is that there are still many people who are nervous about returning to normal. Aside from managing the above survey, Safety.com also provides resources and tips for helping those with concerns on the return to normal like questions to ask before dining indoors and restaurant COVID-19 safety protocols to look for. The CDC is also a great resource for anyone to use on both sides of indoor dining transactions. 

The country has been walking down from the peak for a few months now, but some activities will take longer to revive even with lifted restrictions and mask mandates. Whether it is delivery, takeout, indoor, or outdoor dining, it is still just as important to support your local small businesses and restaurants to help local economies stay afloat as COVID-19 becomes a not-so-distant memory.