BOSTON — The state is expanding the number of diners allowed to be seated together at restaurants and expanding the use of more spaces inside restaurants to include the bar area, according to new preliminary guidelines posted Wednesday.
The new guidelines allow parties of up to 10 people to be seated together, which was previously six, and is set to go into effect on Sept. 28.
The only exception for that rule is Boston, where a recent surge in coronavirus cases has placed the city at higher risk for transmission, so Mayor Marty Walsh has announced he will be keeping that restriction to six people per table.
Bar areas of restaurants can also reopen to seated diners with new guidelines that include plexiglass between the bar and diners and parties spaced six feet apart. If you chose to sit at the bar, you’ll also need to order food and there should be a plexiglass divider between the patron and the bartender.
A lot of people say they’re excited to be able to sit at a bar again or to be able to sit with more people at a table next week.
“It’s also vital for folks who’ve been sequestered for some time to actually give them an opportunity to take a break and get a bit more social and do it in a safe setting,” said Fred Alibrandi.
“I have a big family and we’ve gone out and can’t sit – we’d have to split each other up so that’s gonna be nice to be able to do that,” said Marilee Rotolo.
Though others aren’t as optimistic.
“These little upticks, while pleasant and nice to read about and talk about, ultimately are not going to do the trick to save the jobs and the businesses sadly,” said Erik Hynes, co-owner of Bay Pointe Waterfront Restaurant. “So say you add four more seats to the six and now you have a ten, the table gets bigger, so then you have to social distance six feet from there – so you’re taking up more space in a restaurant and that does not allow you to seat additional tables because of the extra people at that table.”
Hynes says the new order doesn’t add more seats as the strict capacity limits still remain in place.
“If we’re not at 100%, and we’re at 75% or 50% or whatever that capacity is based on the six feet, it makes it that much more difficult to survive no matter who you are,” said Hynes.
Actual bars, however, have not cleared to reopen as the state remains in Phase 3 of Baker’s reopening plan.
The moves that take effect Monday are intended to help the industry that has faced severe restrictions intended to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.
“We hope these updates also help Main Street shops and restaurants,” Gov. Charlie Baker said during a news briefing at the Mill City BBQ & Brew restaurant in Lowell.
The changes were made based on the experiences of other states that “clearly” shows restaurants can safely use bar areas, he said.
They also come at a time when approaching colder weather makes outdoor dining less viable.
The state’s Stop The Spread program that offers free testing in 18 cities and towns around the state with high levels of virus transmission will be extended until the end of October, said.
- The Associated Press contributed to this report
Related:
Chilly weekend causing concern for outdoor dining
Boston to extend outdoor dining permits through Dec. 1
Download the free Boston 25 News app for up-to-the-minute push alerts
>> Complete local and national coronavirus coverage here
RESOURCES:
- Complete local and national coronavirus coverage here
- Follow us on Facebook and Twitter | Watch Boston 25 NOW
