LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The coronavirus is certainly changing the way people do business in Las Vegas. MGM’s decision to close all buffets temporarily turned a lot of heads. It also prompted one big question… is it safe to eat out?
You may see some extra cleaning if you’re eating out around the valley as restaurants and buffets take precautions in light of the coronavirus outbreak.
“We also wipe the tables with sanitizer after every customer leaves, and we also sanitize the chairs with different towel,” Tim Moulson, a food safety expert, said.
Moulson consults with hundreds of restaurants. Moulson stresses the coronavirus cannot be transmitted through food, only through airborne droplets.
“Viruses need a living host to survive and that means it goes from person to person,” he said.
He says it’s fine for people to go out and eat as long as restaurant employees are following proper hygiene.
“All the chefs and all the employees on the cook line know they have to wash their hands first and put on single use gloves before they handle any food,” Moulson said.
He says the news of virus is making employees more vigilant with their cleaning and food handling to minimize any risk especially at buffets.
“At the Wynn, they have people serving the food now. So, the buffet is still open, but they have people serving the food who washed their hands, using gloves and sanitize utensils,” Moulson said.
Ultimately, he says customers need to follow simple rules.
“This virus is only caused by poor personal hygiene. If you have good hygiene, you shower, you wash your hands….whenever you touch anything not clean, you’ll be fine,” he said.
