Governor Baker has announced today that he is loosening the COVID-19 restrictions for restaurants and bar service in Massachusetts. Starting next week restaurants will be able to seat 10 to a table whereas previously it was limited to 6 people per table. Additionally, bar seating and service will be allowed within certain safety parameters that include:
- Working staff behind the bar by at least 6 feet
- A physical barrier at least 30 feet high that separates bar staff from patrons
- No standing room service in bar space, all parties must be seated
- Bar tables placed 6 feet from one another
The new rules for restaurants will take effect officially on Monday, September 28th.
Governor Baker held a press conference today in Lowell at Mill City BBQ where he made this announcement. The spectators/reporters were certainly happy to hear about the open bar seating, to which the Governor said "No standing around the bar, okay!". You can hear his official announcement of it here:
-Producer Lightning