---------------------

UPDATE: March 14, 2020,  12:00 P.M. PST

Space Between Diners

Like our New York locations, we have implemented a new dining room seating policy to create more space between diners. Starting today, we are keeping  a seat open between guests and asking our guests to keep distance if they are in line.

---------------------

POSTED as of 7:00 P.M. PST

March 13, 2020

Additional Preventive Steps We've Taken

In an email last Friday, we shared information about changes we made in response to COVID-19.  We want to update you on additional steps we are taking .

We have created a dedicated COVID-19 response team, and in the past seven days, we have implemented the following steps:

• In order to make sure people do not come to work if they are sick, we implemented an Emergency Sick Leave policy that pays our people in the event they have virus-like symptoms. This pay is in addition to any existing sick leave our people have.
• In addition to last week’s update, we have implemented many other sanitization steps:
  • Additional sanitization when each guest leaves (sanitizing the seats, soy sauce containers, tabletops, etc.)
  • Sanitization of menus with plastic sleeves after each individual use.
  • Our people will sanitize their hands as often as possible and every time after handling a credit card.
  • Extra sanitization process after the end of the night cleaning.
  • Extra sanitization step after each routine bathroom and restaurant cleaning.
  • Additional sanitization of every iPad and touch screen.
  • Use of additional sanitizer spray.
• All paper menus will be thrown away after each use.
• At KazuNori, we have removed all pencils for ordering, guests will verbally communicate their order to us.
• We have increased the frequency of bathroom cleaning.
• We have increased our stock of to-go supplies in the event people prefer to order delivery or pick up from our restaurants.
• We are now stapling our to-go bags shut for each delivery order, in addition to our boxes already being closed with stickers.
• All business meetings are virtual, all people who can work from home do, and we have canceled all travel (except people returning home)
• In NY, we have implemented the new directive to reduce occupancy by 50% as of 5 pm today.

For the safety of everyone in our restaurants, we are also putting a process in place to ask guests to leave the restaurant if they repeatedly cough or sneeze. We know when this happens some guests will not forgive us, but we believe it is what we must do.  Of course, if any of our people repeatedly cough or sneeze they will be immediately sent home (and will be paid as described above).

We have been adding new processes each day, and expect to add more in the coming days.

Unfortunately, we do expect at some point that one of our people will test positive for COVID-19.  We are doing our best to avoid that issue, but also have plans in place for if / when that occurs. We have created a set of COVID-19 specific procedures including an emergency shutdown procedure in the event a restaurant needs to close for a period of time.

Finally, please take the recommendations from the CDC and other governmental agencies seriously. The better we all control the spread of the virus, the sooner we will see things get back to normal.

Thank you again for your support.

POSTED as of 12:00 P.M. PST

March 7, 2020

Keeping You Informed

At Sushi Nozawa Group, we are deeply committed to the health and safety of SUGARFISH, KazuNori, and Nozawa Bar patrons and staff, and we are closely monitoring the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation as it unfolds. In addition to our continued adherence to county health and governmental protocols, we are also taking additional proactive preventative measures in all of our restaurants to keep our community as healthy as possible, including:

• Additional sanitization of high volume points of contact (door handles, faucets, etc.);
• Hand sanitizers for guests and staff in all our restaurants; and
• Reiterating with our staff all recommendations for health and safety to ensure that they are well-versed and adherent to the best practices.

We encourage you to follow the standard precautions outlined by the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And while we realize that cravings for our sushi can be strong, we ask that if you aren’t feeling well to please stay home.

Appreciating the unknown and changing nature of these conditions, we will continue to evaluate the situation as it evolves and to follow the advice and directions of local officials. We will, of course, keep you up to date with any changes.

Thank you,
Sushi Nozawa Group