Prof. Keith Warriner, Department of Food Science, is featured in a Canadian Press story that appeared in several publications on the creative measures restaurants are taking to keep customers safe as COVID-19 pandemic restrictions ease.

Warriner expects patrons to be worried about the safety of restaurants as they reopen and said establishments with patios will likely attract more customers as restrictions start to lift. Air flow between people can help restrict the spread of the virus, he said.

But utensils and gloves are worrisome because of their potential to spread the virus, he said,adding that servers should wash their hands regularly.

“At the end of the day, there’s more chance of getting (the virus) from the waiter than it would be from a spoon or a coffee cup,” Warriner said.

Warriner works closely with industry on studies of food safety and food microbiology.