What to know
- Restaurants in Philadelphia will be allowed to cater for indoor dinners starting September 8th
- The total number of dinners at a time is limited to 25% of the capacity of the restaurant and no more than four dinners can sit at each table
- Movie and live theaters will also open, with restrictions, Sept. 8, and bowling alleys and other indoor games may open immediately, though still with restrictions.
Philadelphia officials say indoor dining on Sept. 8 will return to city restaurants, though only four dinners will be allowed at one table at a time – and the number of total dinners will be limited to 25% of each restaurant’s capacity.
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney made the announcement at a news conference about the city’s response to the coronavirus pandemic Thursday. The city’s restaurants close mid-March; limited open dining was allowed from 12 June onwards.
The rule that requires no more than four seats at a table is to discourage mixing from people from different households, said Dr Thomas Farley, the city’s health commissioner.
Also under the restrictions for restaurants: Servers must wear face masks and face masks. Diners at separate tables must be at least six feet apart or have an invisible barrier between them. Diners must wear masks unless they are eating.
There will be no seating at bars, and alcohol cannot be eaten without food. Last call for all orders for indoor dining will be at 11pm and restaurants should be closed at midnight.
Restaurants need to install physical barriers where maintaining six feet of distance is difficult, including in kitchens and at checkouts, host cities and food collection areas. And restaurant workers should be screened for symptoms before each shift.
The restaurants are also being asked to increase ventilation and promote the upcoming state tracking app.
In some cases – including the use of face shields – those rules are more restrictive than in suburban counties.
The city plans to send inspectors to restaurants to make sure restaurants comply with the new rules, said Dr. Thomas Farley, the city’s health commissioner. “We will close fast restaurants” that do not comply, he said Thursday.
Also Thursday, the city announced that theaters, including movie theaters and live performance venues, may also open on September 8th. The total attendance of these locations is limited to 50% capacity and a maximum of 25 people, which means even large locations can only accommodate 25. All attendees must wear masks. No food or drink can be sold.
Bowling alleys, arcades and other indoor games can open immediately, at 50% capacity and a maximum of 25 people. No food or drink is allowed.
This is an evolving story and will be updated.
.
