The restaurants managed to get customers through their doors again on Friday night.
“It will be a huge weight on our shoulders to welcome people inside,” said Rob Pelszinski, owner of Mount Airy Taproom.
Its restaurant and bar opened in 2019, six months before the city closed its restaurants due to the release of COVID-19 in March.
Pelszinski said his dining room and staff are ready to greet customers again. An air-conditioned outdoor patio and takeaway service have helped keep your restaurant running, but it’s not enough.
“It’s hard. You don’t get rich by paying rent in a restaurant where you can’t sit,” Pelszinski said.
In South Philadelphia, Bridget Foy said she is delighted to show off her new dining room for the first time Saturday.
SEE ALSO: Bridget Foy reopens with pop-up coffee after devastating fire
A fire destroyed Bridget Foy’s local bar and kitchen in 2017.
“With 25% capacity, our tables are socially spaced out. We’re lucky to have a new air conditioning system, so the ventilation is excellent,” Foy said.
Covered food at Philadelphia restaurants has been banned since Nov. 20.
On Saturday, Jan. 16, restaurants may reopen, but severe restrictions must follow.
SEE ALSO: Indoor restaurant will resume Jan. 16 in Philadelphia, but with restrictions
They can only run at 25% capacity and no seats in the bar. No more than four people can sit at a table and they must be from the same household.
Guests must wear masks unless they are actively eating or drinking.
While restaurateurs hope to reopen, they know there are challenges in convincing people to eat indoors.
Pelszinski said he and his staff take every possible precaution, but realize that this is not necessarily enough for some customers.
This was the second ban on indoor food during the pandemic so far. From March 16 to September 8, there was no indoor dining. City officials allowed restaurants to open 25 percent of capacity, and raised the limit to 50 percent on Oct. 2 before the last ban went into effect Nov. 20.
Restaurants in Pennsylvania, outside of Philadelphia, reopened limited-capacity covered restaurants on Jan. 4.
Restaurants must go through a self-certification process to reach 50% of capacity, otherwise they are limited to 25%.
Philadelphia also allows for resumption of other “riskier” scenarios and activities on Saturday. It is allowed to reopen theaters and performance spaces with a limit on the total number of attendees, including staff, of a maximum occupancy of 10%. If the maximum occupancy is unknown, allow 10 people per 1,000 square feet. All attendees must be masked and no food or drink is allowed.
Schools are now also allowed to resume face-to-face classes.
Philadelphia, along with the rest of the state, reopened less risky venues such as museums, gyms and casinos on January 4th.
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