The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment released guidance for restaurants to reopen.
The full guidelines, courtesy of news partner KDVR Fox 31, are HERE and below.
CDPHE says, "The intent of this guidance is to open establishments for the primary purpose of dine-in service. Any establishment that can adhere to the guidelines below and ensure access to food for on-premise consumption can open. The provision of food/meals must be from a licensed retail food establishment. Other kinds of establishments that do not serve food will be evaluated in June."
Gov. Polis has yet to give a firm date when restaurants would be able to reopen to in-person dining.
He said the reopening date would be announced on Monday, May 25 but last Thursday said his next public update would be on Tuesday, May 26.
Among the highlights of the guidance:
FOR IN-PERSON DINING
--Outdoor dining is encouraged.
--Indoor dining is limited to 50 percent capacity and a maximum of 50 people.
--Party size is limited to a maximum of eight people.
--No communal seating.
--No seat-yourself options.
--Patrons in different parties must be six feet apart.
--The spacing of tables may need to be 6 feet or more to ensure proper physical distancing between diners from different parties.
--Parties must stay together, with no mingling between parties.
--Patrons must wait off-site or in cars until table is ready.
--All employees must wear masks.
--Ensure maximum ventilation by opening windows and minimizing use of air conditioning to the greatest extent possible.
--Encourage and, if possible, require reservations.
--No self-service stations or buffets.
--Deep clean and disinfect all shared surfaces between parties/at each turnover.
--Provide hand sanitizer at check-in area and throughout venue.
--Request customers to wear face coverings when not eating or drinking, e.g., walking past other tables to get to delivery areas or restrooms.
--Consider refusing service to customers who refuse to adhere to hygiene and physical distancing requirements
IF THERE IS A CONFIRMED CASE OF COVID-19 AMONG CUSTOMERS OR EMPLOYEES
--The restaurant must notify and cooperate with their local public health agency on next steps.
--Local public health agency contacts can be found HERE.
--Outbreak guidance for non-healthcare facilities can be found HERE.