Super Bowl safety: how local restaurants are scaling down for the pandemic

Every year millions of Americans gather to watch the Super Bowl, one of the nation's most-anticipated sporting events.

Like all other major events, there was a looming deterrent that threw a wrench in most peoples' plans in this year's game: the pandemic.

Last month the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released its guidelines for the big day:

"Attending large gatherings like the Super Bowl increases your risk of getting and spreading COVID-19. The safest way to watch the Super Bowl this year is at home with people you live with."

The guidelines advise people to wear masks, and call ahead to venues to check how safety protocols are being implemented. Among other guidelines, some went as far as advising people not to cheer or chant, but instead, stomp or use noisemakers.

Less than 2 weeks since the stay-at-home order was lifted, restaurants have been given the go-ahead to operate outside.

"It was busy for lunch and then we closed for about an hour so that we can set up for additional TVs and add more tables outside, socially distanced of course, and more seating in anticipation of a crowd," said The Hood Bar and Pizza Owner, Brad Guth.

Guth was busy setting up early Sunday afternoon.

"Not all restaurants have the outdoor patios and this is a good size patio. It’s really a local’s place," said regular customer, Cathy Pedego.

Pedego ordered her drink and was ready to watch the game at The Hood Bar and Pizza in Palm Desert.

"You can tell it’s Super Bowl Sunday and there’s room to have your social distance. I always feel safe when I come here," said Pedego.

Guth took additional steps to keep customers at a distance, in anticipation of an influx in customers.

"We added more sound outside, we added additional TVs outside so that people wouldn’t crowd around the back bar outside and hover over one another," said Guth.

At Burgers & Beer in Rancho Mirage, the popular sports bar's multiple TVs inside the restaurant could not be put to use.

"We have TV’s outside for now," said bartender Rolando Navarro.

Several tables were set up outside on the patio and in front of the restaurant, which catered to only a fraction of what they normally do on the big game day.

"Whatever we have seated is our max capacity. We can’t be shifting tables to make bigger crowds, anything like that. We just have to keep it at how we have it," said Navarro.

Navarro went onto say they were doing everything they could to stay open after multiple shut downs.

"We try to keep everyone under the regulations, wear your mask whenever you’r not eating or drinking, you need to get up and go somewhere, walk to your car. We need to keep it as safe as possible too because we’re trying to stay open. It’s been a long time since we’ve been able to work again and we don’t want to jeopardize that."