Coronavirus: Woonsocket Mayor Pushes Restaurant Outdoor Seating

WOONSOCKET, RI — As the state's economy begins what is planned as a slow, phased reopening from the new coronavirus health crisis shutdown as soon as Saturday, dine-in restaurants face particularly difficult challenges when it comes to meeting social distancing restrictions and limits on public gatherings.

Gov. Gina Raimondo said during her Monday news conference that one window that could allow them to expand beyond their takeout and delivery business soon could be the ability to allow outdoor seating. Raimondo said that those with an outdoor seating option could be allowed to sit tables by reservation as soon as about two weeks with proper cleaning and social distance of parties.

"Restaurants are going to have to do a lot of thinking now for how you are going to open down the road," Raimondo said. "Dining and other close contact businesses will definitely be the focus of Phase Two."

Raimondo suggested restaurants covert some of their parking lot room into seating areas, and that the state is working with cities and towns on allowances for such creative solutions to strict indoor occupancy restrictions that are likely to last well into the summer.

Woonsocket Mayor Lisa Baldelli-Hunt responded by submitting a proposed ordinance to the city council to allow outdoor seating in the city.

"Our local restaurants have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 crisis," Baldelli-Hunt said. "It is imperative that we do whatever is necessary to support our restaurants as they begin reopening in response to anticipated relaxing of the Governor's Executive Orders."

Baldelli-Hunt said she has been working closely with David Lahousse, owner of Kay's Restaurant, on the ordinance.

"I congratulate the mayor on her support of this initiative and her quick response in anticipation of the relaxation of the Governor’s Executive Order," Lahousse said.

Gov. Raimondo said more dining options will be a major focus during Phase Two (which could begin as soon as Many 23). Restaurants that cannot open during Phase One will have more options at that time.

Restaurants often operate as small profit margins and relay heavily on volume business to make a profit — something that will be extremely challenging to accommodate under restrictive guidelines. Raimondo said the hospitality industry could qualify for financial support from the state as businesses hit particularly hard during the shutdown of the economy.

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