After a whole bunch of back and forth and uncertainty, it’s been confirmed that New York City will enter Phase 2 on Monday, June 22nd.
This means that retail stores, salons and barbershops and professional offices can open, while real estate services can be resumed.
More: New Bill Allows NYC Restaurants To Add 10% Surcharge to Bill
And, it means that through the Mayor’s Open Restaurants program, restaurants and bars will be able to offer outdoor dining to the many patrons who’ve missed them over the last few months.
I just announced Open Restaurants. This will save 5,000 restaurants and keep 45,000 workers on the job.
Restaurants can register online tomorrow morning at https://t.co/TdFbnTfmVj. pic.twitter.com/92zixnNnnx
— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) June 18, 2020
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Phase 2 Rules For NYC Restaurants:
- In outdoor spaces, all tables with seats must be at least 6 ft. from any other table, seat, patron, or pedestrian thoroughfare or corridor.
- Ensure an indoor capacity to accommodate patrons who may need to enter/exit through the indoor space to access the outdoor seating, restroom(s), or payment location, and allow such access/egress in a socially distanced manner.
- Close indoor dining and seating areas to customers.
- Employees must wear face coverings at all times.
- Patrons must wear face coverings at all times, except while seated; provided that the patron is over the age of two and able to medically tolerate one.
- Limit outdoor capacity to the number of tables that can be safely and appropriately arranged, such that each table is a minimum of 6 ft. away from another. Wherever distancing is not feasible between tables, enact physical barriers between such tables.
- Individuals seated at the same table must be members of the same party (but may be from different households), with a maximum of 10 people per table. Communal tables are only permitted if at least 6 ft. can be maintained between parties.
- Clearly signal 6 ft. spacing in any lines for customers waiting to order, pick-up food, be seated, or use the restroom, as well as in any pick-up or payment location.
- Designate entrances/exits for customers and separate entrances/exits for employees, where possible.
- Limit in-person gatherings (e.g. staff meetings) to the greatest extent possible.
- Establish designated areas for vendor pickups and/or deliveries, limiting contact to the extent possible.
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Upper West Side restaurants – and the lovely people who eat at them – have been chomping at the bit, with some beginning to celebrate before the weekend hits.
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We are counting to hours until our patio opens on Monday, June 22nd #patiodining
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As there are a lot of adjustments that restaurants will need to make to conform to the new rules and restrictions, it’s hard to say when all or most restaurants will open for outdoor dining. But I’m glad we’ll be able to start enjoying them again. Bon appétit!
