York County restaurants are going the extra mile amid COVID-19. A new decal is proof.
Dozens of York County eateries have made a pledge to keep their restaurants extra clean.
Eric Rhoad, manager at The Flipside Restaurant in Rock Hill, said his establishment was already ahead of the curve with COVID-19 safety standards when Gov. Henry McMaster and state agencies rolled out a plan that would give restaurants distinction for taking extra steps in cleanliness and safety.
“We are continuing to do everything we can to keep people safe,” Rhoad said after a lunch shift at the downtown eatery.
Nearly 40 restaurants in York County have made a pledge through the initiative, called Palmetto Priority, to demonstrate precautions they are making to prevent the spread of COVID-19, said Billy Dunlap, president and CEO of Visit York County.
For Rhoad and his staff, that means extra cleanings after hours, using peroxide-based cleaner, deep cleaning areas that patrons and staff touch, wearing masks and taking the temperatures of customers and employees.
Establishments that participate in the program complete a checklist of “operational assurances” in reopening guidelines by the South Carolina Restaurants and Lodging Association, take online courses, and participate in Department of Health and Environmental Control virtual food safety inspections, according to the program’s website palmettopriority.com.
When those steps are completed, participating restaurants receive a decal to place in their windows showcasing the distinction.
For Jerry Simonetti of Lily’s Bistro in Lake Wylie, holding the Palmetto Priority decal is key to reassuring customers their restaurant is safe and clean.
“I have a regular regimen for servers every couple of hours to make sure everything gets cleaned, everything gets sanitized,” he said.
The measure also holds restaurants accountable if safety standards are not met.
The SC Restaurant and Lodging Association oversees the program and allows customers to share their experiences if standards are not met.
“For us, it’s more reassurance for the community and patrons of our local restaurants,” Dunlap said.
To view a list of participating restaurants, visit visityorkcounty.com.
This story was originally published July 20, 2020 at 10:13 AM.
