State program to give restaurants stamp of approval for following COVID-19 guidelines

LANSING, Mich. – With restaurants resuming indoor dining next week, the state plans to give some bars and restaurants its stamp of approval to show what places are following COVID–19 restrictions.

Many restaurants will open their doors to seat guests Monday, with some new restrictions in place — including a curfew and capacity limits.

The state’s certification program called the Michigan COVID–19 Safer Dining Program requires restaurants to abide by all Centers For Disease Control and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services guidelines.

However, some Michigan restaurant owners said they’re undecided on whether to join the dining program.

“We’re on a webpage with others who seem to be a little gun shy about jumping on it because it seems to be an investment and we don’t really know whether it works,” said state restaurant owner Marie Blinn.

The program which is voluntary, also requires restaurants to work with a certified HVAC inspector to help reduce the risk of spreading COVID–19.

WBKB reached out to several restaurants around town and as of yet no one has confirmed if they are enrolling in the program.

For more information about the Safer Dining Program you can visit Michigan.gov/coronavirus.