What To Expect: Outdoor Dining Begins Today In Louisiana

Starting today, you can order take-out and sit down to eat your food on the outside patios of restaurants all over Louisiana.

Boy, it's going to feel great getting back to a small sense of normalcy. There's nothing like sitting outside, enjoying a great meal with family and friends. Plus the, weather this weekend is looking to be beautiful. This is going to be huge for SWLA businesses.

Louisiana State Fire Marshall Butch Browning released this statement:

In accordance with Governor John Bel Edwards’ COVID-19 Proclamation to be released May 1, 2020, all restaurants that provide outdoor patio venues must adhere to strict mitigation standards preventing the spread of COVID-19. The general operating matrix will require spacing of groups, limiting concentration of people, strict use of PPE, and frequent sanitizing. The specific requirements are provided below:

 

• Reduce outdoor capacity to 25% of that allowed by the State Fire Marshal
• Space tables a minimum of 10 feet from each other (measured from all edges of the
  table)
• Limit table groups to 10 individuals
• Eliminate gatherings in the building when entering or exiting the outdoor seating area.
• Two remotely located exits if barriers (fences, barricades, etc.) exist
• Capacity based on 60 square feet 1 per person of the gross area (25% space to be occupied)
• Space tables a minimum of 10 feet from each other (measured from all edges of the table)
• Limit table groups to 10 individuals
• State-approved fire extinguisher within 75 feet of tent area
• Minimum 7-foot 6-inch headroom (ceiling height)
• Restaurant employees are required to wear cloth face coverings while working
• Employees should wear gloves for preparing and serving food and should change gloves between customers