COVID-19 Restrictions Loosened to Allow Limited Indoor Dining in Philadelphia
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On Thursday, August 20, city officials announced that indoor dining may resume in Philadelphia, subject to several restrictions, beginning on September 8.
08.21.20
The city’s guidelines instruct that restaurants reopening for indoor dining must observe the following rules:
- Restaurants may only operate at 25% of their seating capacity.
- Tables must be at least six feet apart and – to discourage patrons from dining with others outside of their household – have no more than four seats, according to Health Commissioner Thomas Farley.
- Alcohol will only be served with meals at tables, meaning indoor bar seating will remain prohibited.
- Customers must wear masks when they enter and leave the establishment, though masks may be removed when dining.
- Servers must wear masks at all times.
In addition, movie theaters and performing arts venues will also be permitted to reopen on September 8. They will be required to limit audiences to 25 people, all of whom must wear masks, and no food or beverage may be served.
Commissioner Farley warned that the reopening plans would be reversed in the event that the city sees an uptick in COVID-19 cases in the weeks leading up to the scheduled reopening date.
The Coronavirus Task Force at Klehr Harrison stands ready to assist you in your business and legal needs. We will continue to provide additional information and guidance as the COVID-19 situation develops.
Author Patrick Murphy, Jr. is a partner in the Retail, Restaurant & Hospitality Industry Group at Klehr Harrison.