The Town of Greece revealed a plan to allow restaurants to serve food outdoors. Town officials have invited restaurateurs to apply for temporary outdoor permits. Under the state’s current coronavirus reopening plan, sit-down service in restaurants was not scheduled to resume until phase three. Phase three is not expected to come until at least mid-June.
Under the town’s plan, restaurants could be eligible for one of the temporary outdoor seating permits subject to verification that they had:
- Proof of adequate amount of social distancing between tables.
- Clear access to the parking lot or sidewalk (to guarantee access for emergency vehicles).
- The ability to denote the area that is being used with stanchions or fencing.
Finger Lakes regional reopening special advisor Bob Duffy, president of the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce released a statement saying, “While we like the concept of opening outdoor dining spaces, it is important to not get out in front of a decision-making process.”
Duffy continued, saying “The decision to further open businesses in any region of New York State is Governor Cuomo’s and his only. To go against that without permission would not be advisable.”
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