Bars And Restaurants Can Resume Indoor Dining Today With Restrictions
After what seemed like an eternity, bars and restaurants in Michigan can now allow customers to dine indoors, but there are restrictions.
The latest order issued by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) now allows for indoor dining as long as the restaurants follow these new restrictions:
"Restaurants and bars will be allowed to reopen at 25% capacity with up to 100 people. Tables must be six feet apart with no more than six people per table. Outdoor tents with four sides are permitted under these same rules. Bars and restaurants must close by 10 p.m. Additionally, contact information must be collected from diners for contact tracing purposes."
The restrictions that are currently in place will last 3 weeks and will be lifted on February 21st, unless they are extended again by MDHHS.
The reopening of bars and restaurants comes as Michigan is moving past its second wave of new daily COVID-19 infections. The numbers are at the lowest amount of daily new infections since October and are continuing to fall.
Some restaurants are still refusing to open, but it's not because they are concerned about health issues, but rather because they might not be able to turn a profit with the new added restrictions. According to WZZM 13, "Some restaurants, including First Wok in Walker and Long Road Distillers have chosen not to reopen. Long Road owner Kyle Vanstrien said that in order to turn a profit, the distillery and restaurant would need to operate at close to 100% capacity."
Will you be dining indoors with the new restrictions? Vote in our poll below and let us know!