The Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce disclosed on March 16 that Chongqing is taking area-specific epidemic prevention and control measures to promote the orderly resumption of business in the catering industry. Normal catering services are allowed in low-risk areas, 50% of services are permitted in halls and restaurants in medium-risk areas, and services continue to be suspended in high-risk areas.

Chongqing is taking area-specific epidemic prevention and control measures to promote the orderly resumption of business in the catering industry.

Recently, the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce and the Chongqing Administration for Market Regulation jointly issued the Guideline for Orderly Resumption of Business in Chongqing’s Catering Industry during the COVID-19 Outbreak (Guideline).

• The Guideline stipulates that catering service providers in low-risk areas are allowed to operate normally provided that they accept the responsibility for epidemic prevention and control. However, large-scale collective meals are suspended. Catering service providers are prohibited from rearing or slaughtering live birds or animals, and wild animal dishes are banned.
• Collective meals are suspended in medium-risk areas. Catering service providers are allowed to provide limited hall or restaurant food services. 50% of their reception capacity can be resumed, and the same distance —at least 2 meters—shall be kept between tables. Catering service providers shall record the name and contact information of at least one of the diners who eat with others.
• Collective meals and hall and restaurant food services are temporarily suspended in high-risk areas.

The Guideline encourages catering service providers across the city to deliver non-contact takeaway services.

In addition, the Guideline requires all catering service providers to meet the conditions for business resumption, use Yukang Code, test their employees for symptoms, and monitor the health status and whereabouts of each employee in the past 14 days.

Some hotpot restaurants, snack shops, and fast-food restaurants have resumed operations in the main urban area, Nan’an District (Nanbin Road, Nanping Business Circle, Nanshan Hotpot Street), and Jiangbei District (the Second Beibin Road, Guanyinqiao Business Circle, and Hongen Temple).