The North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association on Tuesday evening released a document providing "interim guidance" from the NC Department of Health and Human Services that indicates the state will begin Phase 2 of its reopening Friday -- and allow dine-in service for 50% of the building capacity.
The PDF from DHHS was posted to the NCRLA website and dated May 22, outlining both requirements and recommendations for restaurants as the state enters Phase 2 of reopening from the coronavirus shutdown.
Among the requirements:
- Restaurants can allow no more than 50% of the maximum occupancy as stated in fire capacity;
- Tables and seating should be arranged to have at least six feet between parties;
- High-traffic areas -- such as cash registers or places where customers wait to be seated -- must be marked with six feet of spacing;
- Signs stating the reduced capacity and social distancing recommendations must be posted;
- Routine cleaning of high-touch areas -- such as doorknobs -- must be performed.
Further recommendations include allowing no more than six people to sit at a table, unless from the same family or household; provide hand sanitizer; reduce condiments at tables; recommend face coverings to employees and customers when they must be within six feet of each other.
Gov. Roy Cooper is expected to announce full details of Phase 2 on Wednesday.
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