As cities across the U.S. have added vaccine requirements to enter indoor establishments, OpenTable is implementing a new feature that will allow restaurants to tag diners as “verified for entry” after meeting specified entry requirements.
While the verification feature’s primary function is to confirm proof of vaccination, it may also be used to verify a diner is of legal drinking age, or for other health and safety-related requirements, according to a statement.
At the time of dining, restaurants can confirm that a diner has met their entry requirements and tag their profile as “verified for entry” on the platform. Though the verification feature does not store vaccination card data, it does allow restaurants to confirm that a diner has met entry requirements in a more organized manner.
After a diner is verified, they will be able to enter that restaurant, or any restaurant in the same group, from that point forward, without needing to be verified again. “Restaurant staff won’t have to repeatedly check requirements of their regulars — especially ideal as repeat diner visits are up 28 percent compared to last year,” the release reports.
OpenTable does not have plans to extend verification beyond the restaurant, or restaurant group, at which a diner has already received a “verified for entry” tag in the interest of privacy and security.
The “verified” tool will become available to all restaurants using OpenTable later this month.
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