MISSISSIPPI — Governor Tate Reeves announced Monday that restaurants in the state can again offer dine-in service starting May 7, as long as they practice strict social distancing guidelines.
Crossroads Seafood in Hernando is excited to open up the dining room again. Most of Crossroad’s employees have had their hours cut in half since the COVID-19 outbreak. Now, all employees are moving back to full-time.
“Of course, we want business back and to recoup some money that we’ve lost but our main focus is to keep our employees safe and of course, our customers,” General Manager Taylor Gandy said.
Gov. Reeves also announced that parks will reopen and outdoor gatherings of up to 20 people are allowed. This means that kids can play organized sports.
“That should be a large enough group (20 people) to let kids get out and swing a bat or kick a ball or shoot a basket in the sun with their team,” Gov. Reeves said.
These new guidelines begin at 8 a.m. May 7 and end the same time that the state’s safer-at-home order ends at 8 a.m. May 11.
“I don’t want to wait if there are steps that we believe we can safely take now to ease the burden on Mississippians fighting this virus,” Gov. Reeves said. “There are thousands around the state that are set to close their doors for good. They cannot hold on much longer. I hope that this will not only be some much-needed relief for those restaurant employees but also provide for some joy for the people of Mississippi.”
Indoor gatherings are limited to 10 people, while outdoor gatherings are limited to 20.
Parks may open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. as long as people practice social distancing. Barbershops and hair salons, however, will remain closed.
“I have asked our lawyers, health experts and industry leaders a 100 different ways we might reopen (barbershops and hair salons),” Gov. Reeves said, “We will get there but I cannot do that today.”
The governor is working on a plan to give relief money to those businesses.
“It won’t be enough to make up for all the pain you have suffered,” Gov. Reeves said, “It’s just something, something I can do to keep you stable.”
Restaurants may again offer dine-in service, as long as they follow the following guidelines.
- Before in-house dining can resume, the entire restaurant and bar must be deep-cleaned, disinfected, and sanitized top to bottom.
- All restaurants and bars are expected to take every step necessary to implement the regulations, orders, and guidance from the Mississippi State Department of Health and CDC to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
- All employees will be screened daily at the beginning of their shifts, including asking whether they have been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the past 14 days and have they had a fever in the last 48 hours.
- Cloth masks must be provided to all employees who come in direct contact with customers. Employees are required to wear that mask throughout their shift.
- All employees must be provided training on how to limit the spread of COVID-19.
- No more than 50% seating capacity in both indoor and outdoor dining areas, and floor plans must be updated to ensure at least 6 feet between each group. Party sizes will be limited to no more than 6 people per table.
- Bars and bar areas that do no offer food services are to remain closed.
- Minimizing person-to-person contact through technology, like mobile or online reservations and contact-less payment, is encouraged.
- Customers will be screened upon entry. Restaurants and bars must post signage at each entrance stating no customer with a fever or COVID-19 symptoms are allowed in.
- Cafeteria-style buffets and food stations that are manned by restaurant staff are allowed with appropriate barriers to limit contact. Self-service buffets, food stations, and drink stations are prohibited.
- All restaurants and bars must place hand sanitizer at all entrances, hostess stations, in/near bathrooms, and at cashier stations.