In Spain a self-employed entrepreneur proposes a solution to safely reopen bars after confinement. Read more here.
Life as we know it will not be able to resume immediately in certain countries after confinement. Bars, cafes and restaurants are still discussing ways to come back to life. In Spain, Manuel Gil proposes a solution.
Manuel Gil is a 50-year-old entrepreneur. To deal with the post-coronavirus situation in bars, cafés and restaurants, Gil proposes transparent wall dividers that isolate customers from any contagion. A native of Spain, the third country most affected by the coronavirus, Gil hopes to implement this system when establishments reopen.
A specialist in the renovation of bars and restaurants, Gil bets that we will have to change the way we go out. “We become accustomed to everything in life. We’ll have to change the way we go out,” he says. His isolating wall pilot project took place in a bakery on the outskirts of Madrid, which has eight tables for the customers.
Gil’s transparent walls can isolate a table of four people or less. Even smaller removable tables to separate customers sitting at the same table.
“Any restaurant or bar that has eight to ten tables can spend 700 or 800 euros to renovate and open. No person in this country can bear to have a business closed for six, seven months, or a year,” Gil advises.
Awaiting instructions from the government
While Gil is shaping his project, the conditions set by the government are not yet known in Spain. However, Gil assures that his service can be implemented in less than a week. In fact, the organization representing the hotel industry rejected the installation of such walls since the government has not given any instructions in this regard. Moreover, the organization considers that companies will not be able to assume such costs.
On the other hand, the organization defends limiting the frequency of establishments with minimum distance between tables and providing hand sanitizer gel at the entrance. In addition, to control the temperature of the customers.
Other solutions: thermal cameras
Pedro Zamorano, manager of the company Cámaras Covid, explains that he began importing thermal cameras from China “less than a month ago”. Of this equipment, he ordered 12,500 units whose prices vary from 1,150 to 20,000 euros.
Thanks to its high sensitivity, the camera detects a feverish person and also sounds if a hot drink is approached. But by definition it is unable to detect an asymptomatic person carrying the virus.
Some people like Sheila Giraldo, an employee at the bakery, say they feel “better protected” by the presence of such a camera. She also considers the walls as a lesser evil. “As long as people come and get rid of their fear” of leaving their homes.
Do you know of any alternatives in your country or are you the bearer of new ideas for the future of these establishments? Contact us.
Don’t drink and drive. Enjoy responsibly.