Commentary
Dine safely with temperature screening kiosks
November 9, 2020 by Melissa Harward — Marketing Coordinator, Meridian Kiosks
While practically every industry has been affected by the coronavirus pandemic in some way over the past year, some have faced larger setbacks and restrictions than others. The foodservice industry as a whole and restaurants, especially those that traditionally focus on offering a seated dine-in experience, are among those most affected. As a result, many restaurants have been forced to get creative with the ways in which they serve their customers.
In some cases, delivery, take-out and outdoor seating options that may not have otherwise been offered became restaurants' only options for staying afloat. In other cases, restaurants were forced to cease operations completely until their respective states began easing restrictions.
As the U.S. closes in on nearly an entire year of being affected by the pandemic, many states are well into their reopening phases — and many of the aforementioned restrictions have been or are in the process of being lifted. In fact, a couple months back, New York's governor, Andrew Cuomo, announced plans to dial back some of the restrictions on indoor dining within the state — a large step for New York which has been one of the areas most heavily impacted by the pandemic. Similarly to many other states, though, New York restaurants are opening slowly and with a number of precautionary measures in place.
In addition to social distancing and enforcing capacity restrictions, one of the most common measures being used by restaurants in New York and beyond is temperature screening checks — often through the use of a temperature screening kiosk.
Designed with health and safety in mind, temperature screening kiosks offer a completely contactless temperature check experience. Restaurant patrons are scanned one at a time by placing their face in the frame indicated on the screen of the kiosk. Their temperatures are then read by a thermal sensor and displayed on-screen for the user to view and verify. The process is straightforward, accurate within 0.9 degrees Fahrenheit and efficient. In fact, the entire temperature scanning process only takes about two seconds per person, less time than it even takes to check in for a reservation.
Why are they ideal for foodservice?
While welcoming customers back safely is obviously a top concern for restaurants, it's equally important that their employees are equipped to comply with the health and safety requirements set forth as well. Flexible in design and simple to implement, temperature screening kiosks are available in numerous different formats, from standalone pedestals to countertop and wall mounts, making them ideal for use in both the front and back of house. Just as restaurant goers can use the kiosks to check their temperatures prior to being seated for their meals, restaurant employees can also use the kiosks to check their temperatures prior to reporting for work.
In addition to promoting a safe and sanitary environment, temperature screening kiosks can assist restaurants in abiding by federal, state and local regulations without compromising the time and energy of their workforce. A completely unattended solution, temperature screening kiosks can utilize audible alerts to attract an employee's attention without requiring their presence and attention on the kiosk at all times.
For an update on how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting the kiosk industry, click here.
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