A few days after chef Haim Cohen presented the deputy director-general of the Ministry of Health with the outline for the return of the restaurants, the decision was made to return them to the activity.

The restaurants will be back in full operation starting May 27, it was decided Tuesday after a restaurant association meeting with representatives from the health, finance and economic ministries.

The restaurateurs presented the Ministry of Health's officials with the layout of the return to activity // Photo: Omar Bersh

Under the agreement, restaurants, bars and clubs (no gigs, but with a DJ option) will open according to some rules. If the building is optimized to accommodate up to 100 customers, 100% of its area will be occupied, and over 100 customers - only 85% will be allowed.

In addition, seating outside restaurants will be allowed within a meter-to-person distance, and customers will be charged with heat measurement at the entrance.

Shai Berman, CEO of the Restaurant Association, told Israel Today that "this is an agreement we reached after negotiations lasting several weeks and more intensively in the last week after presentations to Prof. Itamar Grotto and Prof. Sigal Sadecki of the Ministry of Health at Jaffa Tel Aviv's Jaffa Restaurant .

"We were meeting today with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of the Economy. The proposed layout is a layout whereby restaurants whose audience is defined in their business license and up to 100 customers within the restaurant space can host all their customers as defined in the business license. 100 seats can host up to 85% of occupancy.

In the outer area it will be possible to seat according to the key of a person per meter. This agreement is valid for restaurants, bars, cafes and clubs without live performances. In addition, heat will be measured for incoming. "

Berman added: "I think it is an agreement that maintains our clients' health. The agreement has all kinds of health conditions that need to be met but they are important to us so that our customers feel safe to spend with us and it allows business owners to open according to a reasonable economic model. To work and hope that they will again prosper.

"Among the instructions are all kinds of disinfection and cleaning instructions and the strict hygiene of staff and cooks. We intend to provide orderly training to business owners who will meet these requirements in order for our places to be safe. We have a great interest that our customers feel safe And we will make sure to get this message across to all businesses about hygiene and cleanliness. "

The decision came on the back of a meeting last Thursday between health industry executives and leading restaurateurs, in which an in-depth presentation was held to promote the opening of the restaurant industry. Chef Haim Cohen presented the detailed demo along with restaurant and bar association CEO Shay Berman.

Chef Haim Cohen argued, among other things, that businesses in the industry can consistently and responsibly monitor the layout and restrictions, as all diners and visitors will be in one space where the rules can be enforced - unlike the beach, for example.