When restaurants in New York reopen for indoor dining, they will only be allowed to operate at 50 percent capacity — and must erect 5-foot barriers between tables if they can’t guarantee proper social distancing, according to newly updated state guidelines.
Other restrictions include workers wearing face masks at all times, as well as customers unless they are seated.
Only parties of up to 10 people will be allowed to gather at one table, too, and they all must be with the same group, the guidelines say.
If tables can’t be spread apart to maintain the required 6-foot distance between them, then barriers at least 5 feet tall must be installed, the rules say.
No region in the state is in Phase Three of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s reopening plan, which would allow indoor seated service to resume. But several upstate areas are in Phase Two, which allows outdoor seating and service — and Phase Three could be right around the corner as their coronavirus statistics dwindle.
New York City is currently in Phase One, so its struggling eateries can still only serve takeout.
Mayor Bill de Blasio has said it is likely the Apple won’t reach Phase Two, allowing outdoor dining, ’til at least early July.