Henrico County officials help restaurants prepare for Phase 1 reopenings

As Virginia eases restrictions on some businesses while it moves into the first phase of reopening, Henrico County officials are helping restaurant owners and other retailers make that transition.

Officials from the county and the Henrico Economic Development Authority held an online meeting Tuesday to inform restaurant owners and others about the measures the county has put in place to help them resume business under the restrictions laid out by the state.

Gov. Ralph Northam issued Executive Order 61 to set the guidelines for “Phase 1” of lifting restrictions on businesses (which began May 15), but those measures come with restrictions of their own. For example, restaurants may resume dining services, but only outside.

“While Virginia’s efforts and sacrifices seem to have slowed the spread of the virus, we know it is still present,” the order reads. “It is critical that as we begin to ease some of the restrictions in the next phase of our response, we remain vigilant, cautious, and measured.”

To help accommodate restaurant owners in doing so, the county will be issuing temporary outdoor dining permits for restaurants that did not have them previously, Henrico Planning Director Joe Emerson said.

Outdoor dining is defined as an activity that takes place in an outdoor dining area that has a capacity of more than 24, or has table service and alcohol being served. Some sort of overhead cover is required, such as umbrellas or a tent.

A tent that exceeds 900 square feet would require a building permit and a visit from a building inspector.

According to the executive order, tables are required to be positioned 6 feet from each other, parties must be no larger than 10 people, and the occupancy of the outdoor dining area may not exceed 50 percent of the restaurant’s indoor capacity.

Only employees interacting with customers will be required to wear face coverings.

Cindy McKelvey from Henrico’s Department of Health announced that health inspections are resuming now that Phase 1 has begun resume when Phase 1 begins. During Tueusday’s meeting, officials urged restaurant owners to run the water in their restaurants to flush out bacteria such as legionella that may have grown in the stagnant water.

Anthony Jiminez from the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control announced that the ABC will be expediting approval for serving drinks outdoors, but an outdoor dining area will need to be fully enclosed with defined boundaries in order for alcohol to be served.