The long-awaited time for indoor dining has arrived! Beginning September 30th all restaurant and bars will be allowed to have limited indoor dining. The city has released a guidance outlining the regulations to keep in mind, as well as the social distancing limits in regards to the number of patrons allowed indoors. All restaurants will be subject to inspection to ensure that these rules are being followed. Here are some of the facts we have gathered so far:
There will be a maximum 25% occupancy limit. All restaurants are responsible for posting how many persons 25% equals in their establishments at visible locations. For example, a restaurant that would hold 100 patrons would only be allowed to have 25 patrons at this time.
Temperature checks will be conducted at the front door for all customers and employees.
At least one member of each party is required to provide their name, address, and phone number for contact tracing purposes.
Bar seating may not be used to seat patrons. All alcoholic beverages must be served at tables and there will be no service between 12am to 5am.
Masks must be worn at all times when not seated at a table.
All restaurants should be operating with enhanced air filtration ventilation and purification standards.
Allow for outside air ventilation when possible.
Outdoor dining is still in place but only until October 31st.
All these regulations will be revisited by the City by no later than November 1, 2020 with a hopeful increase from 25% to 50% capacity for indoor dining, so long as the rate of COVID-19 transmission has not increased in NYC. That’s why continuing to follow social distancing guidelines is so important for all of us!
We will keep you up to date on any and all changes as they occur!
Stay safe!