Watsonville To Allow Outdoor Dining, Shopping

WATSONVILLE, CA — The City of Watsonville will allow restaurants and retailers to temporarily expand outside to more safely serve customers amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The agreements allow outdoor operations from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and expire Sept. 30, but may be extended month-by-month, as long as social distancing requirements remain in place, according to the agreement and guidelines for permits.

Restaurants with liquor licenses may sell alcoholic beverages outdoors.

Businesses may expand into no more than 35 percent of onsite parking spaces, but may extend into 65 percent of parking spaces with city approval.

City Manager Matt Huffaker signed off on an emergency order approving the permits Friday.