Planning To Reopen - Phase 2 Outdoor Dining

6/5/2020 (Permalink)

A vast majority of family owned, small businesses are restaurants. Owning a restaurant is not only hard work and long hours, it is also, statistically speaking, the most difficult industry to turn a profit. In order to do so, restaurateurs need their dinning rooms to be at or near full occupancy. That is why it is extremely important for these entrepreneurs to completely understand the new rules of the game in order to maximize occupancy during Phase 2 of Governor Charlie Baker's plan to re-open the Commonwealth.    

At the beginning of Phase 2 restaurants will be authorized to provide outdoor table service (in accordance to local municipality regulations) and if the public health data reflects continued positive progression a subsequent Phase 2 Order will be issued at a later date which will authorize restaurants to commence indoor table service. The following are the details from the current COVID-19 Order No. 35.   

As always, work with your local health officials to determine a set of strategies appropriate for your community’s situation.

(See our "Planning to Reopen series of blogs for more information regarding CDC, EPA, FDA, and OSHA safety requirements). To review the administration's reopening guidance from the state click here. To view Governor Baker's full report click here).

According to COVID-19 Order No. 35 restaurants will be authorized to provide outdoor table service at the commencement of Phase II of the Commonwealth’s phased re-opening of workplaces.  In each case, restaurants will be required to comply with sector-specific COVID-19 workplace safety rules for restaurants.

Outdoor Table Service

According to COVID-19 Order No. 35 outdoor table service is deemed as any service that is provided outside the restaurant building envelope, whether on a sidewalk, patio, deck, lawn, parking area, or other outdoor space.  Outdoor table service may be provided under awnings or table umbrellas or other cover from the elements, provided, however, that at least 50 percent of the perimeter of any covered dining space must remain open and unobstructed by any form of siding or barriers at all times.

In spite of the provisions of zoning laws, any special permits, in accordance with variances or other approvals, or other general or special law to the contrary, a city or town may approve requests for expansion of outdoor table service, including in the description of licensed premises as described below. Restaurantures looking for clarifications or exceptions should contact the offices of their Mayor, Board of Selectmen for the process to follow for approving such requests. 

In order to provide improved opportunities for outdoor table service, for any type of license that permits the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption, contact your local licensing authority (“LLA”). They may grant approval for a change in the description of the licensed premises for the purpose of permitting outdoor alcohol service. Authorization of such an exception is at the discretion of your local LLA and will not require review or approval by the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission prior to issuance.  

We will continue to share with you guidance from the CDC, EPA, FDA, OSHA and the Governor's office to follow as we prepare for reopening. Also, we at SERVPRO of Newton/Wellesley know that not every business has access to the resources necessary to meet these strict guidelines. For those businesses, we are here to help!

Specialized Training

The Disaster Remediation Teams at SERVPRO of Newton/Wellesley are specialists in cleaning services and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards. We are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work of "normal daily cleaning". Call SERVPRO of Newton/Wellesley today for a free consultation - (617) 332-9000.

All of us here at SERVPRO of Newton/Wellesley want you and your loved ones to stay safe and know that we will make it through this together! Rest assured, we will continue to do our best to keep you up-to-date and informed!