In the past, “侍应生” referred to service staff in the then emerging companies like banks. The term was later replaced by “服务员” and extended to include all support staff of an organisation.

All restaurant personnel had to wear face masks, ranging from the staff preparing ingredients in the kitchen and the chefs cooking the food, to the waiters and waitresses bringing dishes to the customers. (Lianhe Zaobao, 28/3/2020)