Gov. Gavin Newsom announced modifications to the statewide stay-at-home order Tuesday to allow more businesses to reopen, including dine-in restaurants and offices.
Some key points:
In order to open for sit-down or dine-in service, restaurants must:
- Have disposable menus or post menus online so diners can view them on their own devices
- Cutlery, napkins and cups should not be “pre-set” on the table before diners sit down
- Avoid use of shared condiments (salt shakers, ketchup, etc.)
- Pre-roll utensils in napkins before giving them to customers
- Takeout containers for leftovers must be filled by customers (not kitchen or wait staff)
- Thoroughly clean tables, chairs, etc. after each group’s use
- No table-side food preparation (such as for guacamole)
- Bar areas inside restaurants should stay closed
Newsom also cautioned that it is up to individual counties to decide how far they can go into the second stage, saying Los Angeles and San Francisco may not be able to loosen its policies as much as other counties.
According to the state’s COVID-19 website, the following guidelines are in place for dine-in restaurants, brewpubs, craft distilleries, breweries, bars, pubs and wineries:
• Brewpubs, breweries, bars, pubs, craft distilleries, and wineries should remain closed until those establishments are allowed to resume modified or full operation unless they are offering sit-down, dine-in meals. Alcohol can only be sold in the same transaction as a meal.
• Dine-in restaurants, brewpubs, breweries, bars, pubs, craft distilleries, and wineries that provide sit-down meals should follow the restaurant guidance below and should continue to encourage takeout and delivery service whenever possible.
• Brewpubs, breweries, bars, pubs, craft distilleries, and wineries that do not provide sit-down meals themselves, but can contract with another vendor to do so, can serve dine-in meals provided both businesses follow the guidance below and alcohol is only sold in the same transaction as a meal.
• Venues that are currently authorized to provide off sale beer, wine, and spirits to be consumed off premises and do not offer sit-down, dine-in meals should follow the guidance for retail operations and offer curbside sales only, until local and/or statewide rules allow additional retail activity.
• Producers of beer, wine, and spirits should follow the guidance for manufacturing operations
• This guidance is not intended for concert, performance, or entertainment venues. Those types of establishments should remain closed until they are allowed to resume modified or full operation through a specific reopening order or guidance. Establishments that serve full meals must discontinue this type of entertainment until these types of activities are allowed to resume modified or full operation.
California Governor Issues Statewide modification for Stay at Home order for Offices, Restaurants, Malls, Car Washes, Pet Grooming, and morehttps://t.co/WMH8Qx1Udw pic.twitter.com/WpzBrE7CPJ
— Entertainment Heat (@entertainmenth_) May 13, 2020
The document also indicates restaurants must implement other policies such as having a workplace-specific plan, cleaning and disinfectant protocols, and physical distancing guidelines.
While some industries were able to reopen with restrictions, others were excluded. This includes tattoo parlors, moving theatres, gaming facilities, community centers, concert venues, public pools, and religious services and cultural ceremonies.
Offering dine-in services is part of the second stage of California’s Four Stage reopening plan.
The state entered the second phase last Friday when some retailers, such as florists, clothing stores, bookstores and toy stores were allowed to reopen. However, for curbside pick-up services only.
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