North Carolina eateries offering more dining options as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. | stock photo
North Carolina eateries offering more dining options as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. | stock photo
Raleigh is allowing restaurants to expand their seating to public property outside of their restaurants as the state progresses through lifting COVID-19 restrictions.
The policy went into effect on June 12, giving restaurants a temporary license to use parking spaces, sidewalks and the street for additional seating, the Carolina Journal reported.
Before the change, restaurants were limited to providing takeout and delivery orders during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Carolina Journal reported. As part of Phase 2, restaurants are able to allow some dining services, but at a smaller capacity, the news agency reported.
“It’s really just an opportunity to help support our local businesses and get customers back in,” Whitney Schoenfeld, the city’s planning supervisor, told WRAL. “It will help them social distance and help with economic recovery." The temporary licenses are mostly free unless there is a need for additional work or sectioning off, the news agency reported.
Schoenfeld told WRAL that they will process applications as quickly as possible and are allowing a 30-day grace period.
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