Whenever the government gives the go-ahead, Tim Hortons will be reopening its dining areas to welcome customers back into spaces that are going to look a lot different.

Jose Cil, CEO of Restaurant Brands International — which owns Tim Hortons, Burger King and Popeyes — issued an open letter today outlining what customers can expect when dining areas for each brand are reopened.

"After eight long weeks, most of us in North America are now shifting our mindset from crisis mode to recovery mode," writes Cil.

"We are now moving into the next phase of reopening dining rooms according to guidance from local authorities and will be welcoming back millions of guests to dine-in at our convenient locations."

Physical distancing measures like the company's 'safe distance' rule will be implemented within dining areas that include tabletop signage indicating "which tables are open and which ones are reserved to help maintain safe distances."

Tables and chairs will be sanitized after each use and hand sanitizer will be available in the dining room for customer use.

Self-serve soda fountains will be turned off and beverages, extra condiments and trays will only available from behind the counter. 

Acrylic shields and contactless service will become the standard at each restaurant while the company continues to scale up its presence on delivery apps, improve the drive-thru experience, and offer mobile order and curbside pickup options.

In addition to mandatory masks and gloves for employees, the company says it's "evaluating more comfortable and reusable masks that may become part of our standard uniforms."

Employee's temperatures will continue to be taken before shifts and they will be expected to undergo additional "rigorous" health and safety training.

While each province and territory is in a different stage of reopening, some parts of Canada, such as New Brunswick, have already given restaurants the green light to reopen. 

"As we read all the stories about our communities re-opening, all of the focus is understandably on ways to continue to keep us apart," the letter continues.

"But one of the most normal things in our lives is coming together. And that often includes sitting down with your family or friends and enjoying a meal together at a restaurant."