Post the second wave of the Coronavirus, restaurants in Bangalore are looking at al fresco seating to increase footfalls.

Restaurants have been one of the worst affected during the pandemic. While the risk of COVID-19 continues unabated, there have been a slew of new restaurant launches in Bangalore and interestingly, all these spaces have large outdoor and al fresco seating.

Dr. Vasunethra Kasaragod, Consultant Chest Physician, Vikram Hospital, Bengaluru explains, “the risk of COVID-19 spread increases in a restaurant or bar setting as interactions within six feet of others when there is inadequate ventilation. Hence with this background it can be said that chances of Covid-19 spread will be higher in an indoor, poorly ventilated area than an outdoor one.”

Likewise, regular restaurant hoppers are specifically preferring al fresco seating too, something that the salubrious climate of the city lends itself to.

Akanksha Chaudhary, Head Sales & Marketing, JSM Corporation that owns Hard Rock Café, Whitefield says, “with more greens and fresh air, sometimes even inclusion of water bodies, people tend to explore / indulge in the outdoors. This fusion of nature in restaurant spaces, especially in the outdoors, naturally puts great natural emphasis on day-time dining culture. Post the pandemic, there has been a welcome spike in demand for al fresco dining.”

Gurpreet Singh Bali, Partner, Gilly’s Group that recently launched an outlet on Old Airport Road says, “we have around 160 numbers of casual outdoor seating as guests prefer to sit outdoors as they are close to nature and can enjoy the elements as also outdoor spaces. Fear of enclosed spaces has got people visiting public spaces that are more open and where social distancing norms are strictly followed.”

Read the full story that first appeared in Bangalore Mirror dated July 25, 2021 here: