As more diners venture back into restaurants, many want to know first what’s being done to keep coronavirus off the menu. Now, a Sarasota public relations professional maintains a database to help consumers know what safety measures are taking place in their favorite eateries as well as let restaurateurs share best practices publicly.

Susan Hicks, founder of PRecise Communications, launched Safety 4 SRQ, an online directory where Sarasota and Manatee businesses can post Health Safety practices. For the moment, a handful of restaurants, retailers and salons/barber shops appear.

“It’s for the consumer to be able to come and find information on health and safety practices without having to wade through marketing,” Hicks said. “But it's also for businesses so local restaurants don’t have to have what their COVID-19 practices are printed next to their nicely plated menu items.”

The idea is that the database can become a depository of details on just what measures are taken to limit the spread of the pandemic.

Businesses like Michael’s on East, The Little Salon, Cutting Loose and Nick Choat’s Sport Clips Haircuts locations in Bradenton and Sarasota appear now.

“This online Health Safety directory is a great asset,” Choat said. “Our biggest problem has been communicating to the public that they will be safe coming to our salons for hair cuts and styling because of our firm commitment to following rigorous health safety measures.”

For the $10 per month basic package, businesses can go online and effectively fill in a check list of practices that apply at their business. For $20 a month, businesses can be listed as “supporting members” and share greater detail about their specific procedures.

Then businesses can also be listed as “Safety Superstars” if they make a pledge to temporarily close in the event an employee tests positive for COVID-19.

Hicks said the fees will help her offset the startup costs for the service, and she hopes to offer the database at a price that doesn’t burden businesses themselves.