Better Than Nothing: Brookline Restaurants On Restriction Lift

BROOKLINE, MA —Businesses across the state and in Brookline will be able to operate at 40 percent capacity starting Feb. 8, Gov. Charlie Baker said, citing "dramatic declines" in coronavirus positive test rates and hospitalizations statewide.

Brookline restaurant owners said the move from 25 percent capacity restriction in place since Christmas to 40 percent a step in the right direction.

"40 percent is better than nothing," said Brian Foley, who is general manager at The Publick House in Washington Square.

Foley said since the vaccines have slowly begun rolling out, he's seeing more and more people comfortable with the idea of dining out, but on weekends and evenings and having to ask guests to wait for a table when there are plenty of tables open, has been difficult.

"I'm not sure what 40 percent would do numbers wise, maybe add another 12. At the end of the day it still isn't going help that much," he said.

Near the beginning of the pandemic a husband of one of the owners of the Publick House made plexiglass partitions, created barriers and helped outfit the restaurant with coronavirus protocol protections. The restaurant organized the seating so all seats were 6 feet from one another and separated with barriers. And during the summer, the outdoor seating kept them alive, Foley said.

Having the limited restrictions is hurting, he said.

"We're staying alive, but I don't think we're generating much revenue," Foley said. "We're still battling the storm."

He said the restaurant is trying to make do, and have pivoted to offer take out until spring time when the weather allows more people outside again.

The 25 percent capacity restriction went into effect on Dec. 26 after a surge in virus rates following Thanksgiving and leading up to Christmas. It was extended twice.

"People's work is paying off," Baker said during his Thursday news conference. "We just need to keep it up for a few more months."

The easing restrictions affect offices, stores, restaurants, gyms, fitness centers, museums, libraries, personal-care businesses and churches. Employees do not count toward the 40 percent limit.

The positive test rate reached a high of 8.6 percent in early January — after falling as low as 0.8 percent in September — but was back down to 3.3 percent as of Wednesday.

Baker said hospitalizations are also down 33 percent since they peaked early last month.

"The data has gotten better. Because the data got better we are making some adjustments," Baker said. "These are very difficult decisions and very tough times for people involved in these businesses."

The eased capacity restrictions come two weeks after the state eliminated the 9:30 p.m. business curfew that had been in place for two months.

Other restrictions listed in Phase One of Step Three of the state's coronavirus reopening —which keep certain businesses, such as larger indoor recreation and entertainment venues, closed — will continue until what Baker said is "further data that shows sustained improvement."

The 90-minute dining and six-person limit at restaurant tables also remain.

Jenna Fisher is a news reporter for Patch. Got a tip? She can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a something you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how.