North Carolina’s largest restaurant and hospitality trade association just sent out an email to all of their members saying that Governor Cooper will be moving the state into Phase 2 on Friday and allowing restaurants and bars to open back up for dine-in guests at 50% capacity.
The North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association (NCRLA) email states, “We expect that Gov. Cooper will make a formal announcement tomorrow, moving forward with plans for Phase 2 on Friday, May 22 as we had hoped.”
The organization also provided an early release of the official state guidelines for the reopening of restaurants in Phase 2, which is dated May 22nd.
The guidelines under Phase 2 will “Permit no more than 50% of maximum occupancy as stated in fire capacity. Restaurants may permit up to 12 people per 1,000 feet if there is not a fire code number available.”
The new guidelines also detail the following topics:
• Social Distancing and Minimizing Exposure
• Cloth Face Coverings
• Cleaning and Hygiene
• Monitoring for Symptoms
• Protecting Vulnerable Populations
• Combatting Misinformation
• Water and Ventilation Systems
In addition to the official state guidelines, NCRLA also provided additional guidelines for all their hospitality members, which they are calling the ‘Count On Me NC’ pledge.
As NC’s restaurants, hotels & businesses reopen after the COVID stay-at-home order, Count On Me NC is a mutual pledge and public health initiative that empowers guests and businesses to help keep everyone safe and protected. Can we count you in? @ncdhhs @VisitNC @NCExtension pic.twitter.com/vIhp3Rb3i1
— NCRLA (@NCRLA) May 18, 2020
Even though Governor Cooper is expected to announce the transition into Phase 2 this coming Friday, nothing is guaranteed yet, especially if we see a spike in new COVID-19 cases over the next 24 hours.
Do you think we should move into Phase 2 on Friday?