Gov. Charlie Baker announced Friday that restaurants could begin offering indoor dining on Monday as coronavirus cases statewide continue to wane.
Gov. Charlie Baker announced Friday that restaurants could begin offering indoor dining on Monday as coronavirus cases statewide continue to wane and the governor’s slow reopening plan picks up speed.
Phase two of the state’s reopening plan began on June 8, allowing retail and lodging services to reopen and restaurants, relegated to take-only service since mid-March, to provide outdoor dining with strict social distancing protocols.
A few Vineyard restaurants with outdoor space, including Nomans and Nancy’s in Oak Bluffs and the Seafood Shanty in Edgartown, have been able to open patios with limited capacity. But most restaurants have stayed as takeout only, as the governor had previously stated that indoor dining would likely be allowed sometime between phase two and phase three of the reopening plan, which is not slated to begin until June 29.
With key public health metrics relating to the virus on the decline, the governor said at a press briefing Friday that it was finally safe enough to open restaurants for indoor service Monday, June 22.
Like the outdoor dining regulations, tables have to be kept six feet apart and parties will be limited to six or fewer, Lieut. Gov. Karyn Polito explained. Governor Baker said the feedback the state received from restaurants signaled that they preferred table regulations rather than a percentage capacity limit.
“We went with the six feet apiece as opposed to a capacity limit,” he said. “Configuration varies a lot from one building to the next . . . it just seemed like the easiest thing to do would be to pick a distancing standard that we were comfortable with.”
Offices will also be allowed to increase their capacity from 25 to 50 per cent of staff, but Governor Baker encouraged employers to allow employees to continue working from home if possible.
Statewide, the governor said only a select few hospitals were still using surge capacity, down approximately 80 per cent at the virus’s peak. Phase three, which would allow movie theaters and gymnasiums to reopen, could begin as soon as a week from now.
“This progress is encouraging and proves that we are moving in the right direction as we continue our gradual reopening,” he said.
Comments
This strikes me as a bad idea
Ben Oak BluffsThis strikes me as a bad idea. We barely had time to get people to adhere to social distancing while eating at restaurants outside...why are we rushing to put people back in closed spaces?
I agree with you Ben. The
Washashore MVI agree with you Ben. The server in the photo has a cloth mask on, which protects the customer from droplets. That is hospitality, and we are an Island of hospitality. Obviously you can’t eat and wear a mask at the same time. How is the server protected? Those cloth masks do a wonder for people on the other side of them but next to nothing for those wearing them. They are the ultimate statement of “I care about you stranger.” Outside dining is a risk, and a balancing act between economy and lives. Indoor dining seems premature. Thank you front line workers, servers, hospital workers, grocery workers...I can’t possibly list them all. I understand people just want life to be normal and to dine out. Primarily our guests to the island, since most of us living here don’t go out to eat all that often due to the cost, and especially now given what we know about hospital beds and ventilator counts (25, 3). I have been getting take out once a week these past few months to try to help support our local restaurants...In “normal” times I don’t go out to eat here more than maybe twice a year. Indoor dining seems like a bad idea, but I guess we need the money. I will double down on my takeout orders from every place that decides not to ask servers in cloth masks to deal with indoor customers. I know it isn’t enough, but it Is a start.
Customers are smarter than
Kelce OBCustomers are smarter than desperate owners. Because they can open doesn't mean people will show up.
I agree with Ben - based on
AM 02539I agree with Ben - based on the increases being seen in states that have been ‘open’ longer, it would seem like holding off on indoor dining would make sense.
Do what you feel most
Shirley New YorkDo what you feel most comfortable doing in your situation . These are just guidelines.
Guidelines Shirley - yea with
Jessica Oak BluffsGuidelines Shirley - yea with up to $300.00 fines per violation which will never be enforced in OB believe me!
BTW did you happen to self-quarantine for the 14 day guidelines after arriving from New York?
On the island as in Maine,
Doug MaineOn the island as in Maine, our economies rely on tourism. The damage already done by the lockdowns may not be reversed for years if at all for some private businesses. The virus is a real threat to the elderly and those with compromised heath and they need protection, however, the hardworking small businesses deserve the ability to maintain a living. If someone feels the threat is too high by all means should stay in the protection of their homes but it is time to support our members of society who look to serve others.
Hi Doug. I hear this again
Washashore MVHi Doug. I hear this again and again and understand and respect the sentiment. Stay home if you are at risk and participate if you aren’t. The thing is, many are at risk and stay home, but rely on their partners (wives, husbands, lovers, children and parents) to help them keep going. Those providers HAVE to keep interacting with the community at large and HAVE to come home to those at risk. They have jobs deemed essential, and in many cases jobs that are in fact essential. Let’s you and me bond together in this instance and agree to do our best to protect those less fortunate (the elderly, the immune compromised) and wear our masks when out and about and to possibly question anything that sends this nasty virus towards our loved ones and those we don’t know but live in our community. A lobster roll is nice. But not nice enough to kill for. Running a restaurant is a risk forward proposition. They mostly fail. There are few restaurants opened here in the past decade of economic boom. Most have been here a long time. If they haven’t set aside a few pennies for a downturn they were going to go anyhow. I don’t wish that on them, but seriously...they are not vital and mostly they are not selling good food
Washashore, too many are
Doug MaineWashashore, too many are missing the gravity of what is going to happen to all of our ways of life if we do not open businesses. Restaurants are only some of it. I am one of the health care providers working directly with elderly with severe respiratory illness and care for an 80 year old mother with lung cancer. I know first hand how important it is to practice safe hygiene and distance when possible. I am seeing the harm and devastation brought to our patients families by the overwhelming overreaction to this virus. They were not only at risk of the virus but now facing economic ruin. I appreciate the absolute good intentions of all who try to do what is right. I would suggest you educate yourself a little more than just listening to one source of information. We can keep everyone safe health wise and economically. These do not need to be mutually exclusive.
It seems really easy for some
David New EnglandIt seems really easy for some to decide to limit the livelihoods of others, while being unwilling to limit their own behaviour. We ate out last night in a favorite restaurant and the people working there are working hard (it's uncomfortable waiting tables and cooking wearing a mask - try it sometime), are proud of their restaurant and their product, and will make 50% of what they have in the past. They've had no income for the past 3 months. Since they work - hard - for a living, they don't consider welfare an income. If you are afraid of illness - stay home.
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