Business & Tech
RI Restaurants Can Increase Capacity At Outdoor Tables: New Rules
Thought no "sweeping" changes came this week, the Rhode Island Commerce Department continues to decrease restrictions a little at a time.
PROVIDENCE, RI — A week after new, looser coronavirus restrictions took effect in Rhode Island, several more small changes were announced. Starting Friday, restaurants can allow for larger single-table parties in outdoor settings, along with several other minor adjustments to the rules.
The new regulation applies to outdoor tables only. As of Friday, up to 10 people can be seated at a single table, instead of the current limit of 8. While this may seem like too small of a change to make a difference, Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor said many catered event venues have voiced frustration at the table-size limit.
While this week's changes are not "sweeping," Pryor said, they are indicative of the state's effort to continue to loosen burdens on businesses, while keeping Rhode Islanders safe.
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Related: New, Looser Coronavirus Restrictions Take Effect In RI
The other man change from this week: restaurants and food courts will now be allowed to let patrons choose their own seats, rather than have an employee guide them to a specific table. This change was made, Pryor said, under the assumption that Rhode Islanders can be trusted to keep at least six feet away from other parties, and that employees clean tables thoroughly between parties.
Gyms and fitness centers, meanwhile, saw slight relief this week as well, as they can more fully reopen shower areas.
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Finally, the department lifted the requirement that businesses keep detailed cleaning logs explaining when high-touch surfaces were cleaned. Although it's important to frequently clean surfaces, Pryor said, many businesses complained that the paperwork requirement was onerous and a waste of time.
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