Restaurants in 64 of Florida’s 67 counties have been given the go-ahead by Gov. Ron DeSantis to reopen 25% of their interior dining spaces starting Monday.
Eating places will also be permitted to use exterior seating as long as tables are kept at least 6 feet apart.
No more than 10 people can be seated at the same table.
The three counties where restaurants will continue to be limited to takeout and delivery are among the state’s most populous: Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach. Sixty percent of Florida's deaths from COVID-19 have occurred in those three jurisdictions.
Bars will not be permitted to reopen.
The partial reopening of the state’s restaurant industry, the nation’s third largest after California and Texas, is included in the first phase of DeSantis’ economic restart. He said last week that he intended to take “baby steps” to bring the state back to full operation.
Like his peers in other states, DeSantis indicated that he will only proceed to later phases if COVID-19 is kept in check.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.