NYC Restaurants May Need To Build Cubicles To Reopen

NEW YORK CITY — New York City restaurants may have to resort to a grim office room norm if they want to social distance: cubicles.

Newly updated state guidelines on reopening during the novel coronavirus pandemic mandate eateries must construct 5-foot barriers between tables if tables aren't placed 6 feet apart.

"Wherever distancing is not feasible between tables, physical barriers must be enacted," the new guidelines state.

New York restaurants will only be allowed to operate at 50 percent capacity, with workers and standing customers required to wear face masks.

Parties will be limited to a maximum of 10 people per table and cannot mingle, according to the guidelines.

New York restaurants can resume indoor seated service only in regions that have reached Phase Three of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's reopening plan.

Several upstate areas have reached Phase Two, none have reached Phase Three, and New York City only reached the first phase Monday.