Optimal COVID-19 Adapted Table Disposition in Hostelry for Guaranteeing the Social Distance through Memetic Algorithms

The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged all physical interactions. Social distancing, face masks and other rules have reshaped our way of living during the last year. impact these measures for indoor establishments, such as education or hostelry businesses, resulted in a considerable organisation problem. Achieving table distribution inside spaces that fulfilled distancing requirements while trying to allocate maximum number tables enduring proved be task multiple establishments. This problem, defined Table Location Problem (TLP), is categorised NP-Hard, thus metaheuristic resolution recommended. In previous works, Genetic Algorithm (GA) optimisation was proposed optimising real classrooms. However, algorithm performed poorly high obstacle density scenarios, especially when allocating due existing dependency between adjacent distance distribution. Therefore, this paper, we introduce first time, authors’ best knowledge, Memetic (MA) improves previously designed GA through introduction Gradient Based Local Search. Multiple configurations been analysed hostelry-related scenario comparison methodologies performed. Results show MA obtained adequate solutions unable reach, demonstrating superior convergence performance an overall greater flexibility. denoted its value not only from perspective but also flexible managing daily arrangement, fulfilling main objectives paper.