Capitol & Hale Streets In Charleston To Remain Closed Through September For Outdoor Dining

Press release from the City of Charleston:

September 4, 2020

Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin announced today that blocks of Capitol & Hale Streets will remain closed to allow additional outdoor dining through the end of September. Streets will be closed each Friday beginning at 7 a.m. through Sunday at 9 p.m. Capitol Street and Hale Street will be closed from the Kanawha Boulevard to Lee Street. One lane will be open on Hale Street from Kanawha Boulevard to Virginia Street for access to the South Side Bridge. Virginia Street and Quarrier Street will remain open. Emergency service personnel will have access to Capitol Street & Hale Street throughout the closure.

“Our restaurants have seen great success during this difficult time because of the flexibility outdoor dining presents,” said Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin. “We continue to ask people to follow social distancing guidelines and to wear masks when not actively eating and drinking.”

Outdoor dining will also take place Monday, September 7 as part of Labor Day weekend.

Restaurants will continue to provide tables, chairs and tents in order to serve customers outside of their establishments. All items will be sanitized in accordance with Kanawha-Charleston Health Department guidelines. Quarrier Street will have bagged meters that are reserved for those picking up take-out orders.

Kanawha Boulevard will also continue to be closed from Court Street to Greenbrier Street each Sunday in September. All lanes will close at 7 a.m. and reopen at 7 p.m.

“The closure of the Kanawha Boulevard continues to provide opportunities for socially distant activity during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin. “As we work to keep our case count low, we must provide folks a safe outlet to run, walk and bike.”

This press release was produced by the City of Charleston. The views expressed here are the author’s own.